This is after the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) was launched in Midrand recently to implement the long delayed Aarto system.
The implementation of Aarto has been marred by numerous delays over the past few years as municipalities across the country experienced difficulties with implementing the system.
Deputy Minister of Transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga, who launched RTIA, said the days of non-compliance to road traffic laws without consequences are over with the expectancy of Aarto to be rolled out.
The RTIA was launched as it will be responsible for the independent adjudication of traffic infringements and fines issued under the Aarto Act.
The demerit points system would penalise drivers who are guilty of infringements by imposing demerit points. An accumulation of demerit points would lead to suspension and an eventual cancellation of a driver’s licence.
Chikunga said that instrumental to rolling out and implementing an effective AARTO was the need for properly trained traffic officials who were knowledgeable about the system.
The launch of RTIA and the imminent roll out of Aarto is in line with South Africa’s undertaking to achieve the UN Decade of action road safety goals and in helping the Department of Transport to reduce road crashes by influencing positive driver behaviour.
