The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act, 1998 (AARTO, Act No. 46 of 1998) is an
act of the
Parliament of South Africa
The Parliament of the Republic of South Africa is South Africa's legislature; under the present Constitution of South Africa, the bicameral Parliament comprises a National Assembly and a National Council of Provinces. The current twenty-seve ...
which introduces a
points demerit system for violations of
traffic law
Traffic codes are laws that generally include provisions relating to the establishment of authority and enforcement procedures, statement of the Traffic#Rules of the road, rules of the road, and other safety provisions. Administrative regulations ...
. It is managed by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), a public entity under the
Department of Transport
The Department for Transport (DfT) is a department of His Majesty's Government responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that have not been devolved. The d ...
. Although the act was enacted in 1998, it has not yet been fully implemented, but has now been rescheduled for a national rollout to the whole country early in 2012.
South Africa has one of the highest road accident and fatality statistics in the world and the intention of AARTO is to address the situation by encouraging responsible driving habits amongst the motoring public.
AARTO introduces a Demerit Points System, for the first time in South Africa, which is intended to penalize drivers and fleet operators who are habitual offenders. Under AARTO, traffic infringements will result in points being allocated to a driver's licence. On reaching 12 points the licence is suspended. If no infringements occur within a three-month period a point will be deducted. If a license is suspended three times it is permanently revoked.
The Act has serious implications for the entire South African Transport Industry. All role players, from senior management to the lowest level driver employee are affected. Driver based employees stand to lose their livelihood if their licence is suspended. Management and fleet operators may face crippling blows to their businesses as entire fleets can be grounded.
In spite of its pending implementation on a national basis, there is a great deal of uncertainty about the AARTO Act and numerous amendments have made it difficult for the public and business sector to adequately prepare.
Education on AARTO is imperative for all role players to be adequately trained on AARTO prior to its implementation. Failure to prepare for and comply with the provisions of this act could be disastrous for individuals and businesses.
External links
South African Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC)Automobile Association of SA (AA) - AARTO Act ClarifiedAARTO TrainingAARTO News Archives
References
SA Government Official AARTO WebsiteAARTO Explained, An RTMC PublicationAdministrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act 46 of 1998, Amendment Act 22 of 1999Road Traffic Management Corporation Act of 1999National Road Traffic Amendment Act Section 1 of Act 93 of 1996, as amended by section 1 of Act 8 of 1998
Traffic law
South African legislation
1998 in South African law
History of transport in South Africa
Transport legislation
1998 in transport