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Lawlessness 'tackled at roots'
03/07/2008 20:04 - (SA)
Pretoria - The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) pilot project, including a demerit system for repeat traffic offenders, has been launched.
Transport Minister Jeff Radebe said in a speech prepared for delivery at the launch that the Aarto Act was "South Africa's first comprehensive blueprint for tackling the problem of lawlessness at its roots".
"I put it to you that our greatest challenge is to change the attitudes and behaviour of our motorists."
The Aarto project decriminalised traffic violations and dealt with them through an "effective, fair, objective and expeditious administrative system".
He said: "The implementation of this Aarto pilot will enable us to test the applicable systems, processes and procedures and gear ourselves for national roll-out in 2009.
Cancellation of licences
"Through the implementation of the points demerit system, we will be able to identify habitual offenders who disregard the laws and punish them appropriately.
"Ultimately, this may lead to the suspension and cancellation of driving licences.
"However, it is a positive system in that we also will reward positive behaviour that shows the motorist is now abiding by the laws, through the reduction of the demerit points already allocated."
"By the end of 2010, South Africa will boast a transport system and services that rank among the best in the world.
"The confidence I have in this is strengthened by the plans to give effect to the Road Safety Strategy and today's (Thursday) launch of the Aarto."
Radebe said that by implementing the Aarto, "we will be able to change people's behaviour from wanton disregard for road traffic laws, effecting zero-tolerant policies to traffic violations and inculcate a new habit of voluntary compliance to road traffic laws".
AA favours new system
The Automobile Association of South Africa welcomed the launch of Aarto.
Public affairs head Rob Handfield-Jones said: "The AA is strongly supportive of Aarto and the systematic administration method it introduces; it provides an excellent framework for the reduction of crashes."
He encouraged motorists to visit www.aarto.co.za to familiarise themselves with the details of the system.
"The points demerit portion of Aarto is expected to become operational in 2009, and will target repeat traffic offenders by adding points to their licence each time an offence is committed, as well as fining them.
"Points are reduced at the rate of one point for every three months in which no additional demerit points were incurred."
"Demerit points accumulated by unlicensed or learner drivers will start to reduce only when these drivers are issued with a licence, and unlicensed drivers will now be arrested if caught more than twice," said Handfield-Jones.
The AA expressed concern at the high number of drivers who drove without a licence, or with an irregularly obtained licence, noting that up to half of all drivers might be in this category.
'Thorough overhaul needed'
"These drivers fall outside the Aarto enforcement net," said Handfield-Jones.
"Their ever-accumulating demerit points may even deter them from obtaining a valid licence."
The AA called "for a thorough overhaul of enforcement and licensing in South Africa to ensure that drivers were encouraged to get a legal licence, and to drive to high standards under the ongoing oversight of the enforcement authorities".
- SAPA
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