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Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has published new regulations for the administrative adjudication of traffic offenses (AARTO) that include a new point-based demerit system.
According to the Department of Transportation, the regulations will have a major impact on the economy and social welfare of road users.
However, it is necessary to change the behavior of drivers and create a safer road environment, the department said.
South Africa’s new demerit system will be introduced in three phases to ensure that road users are gradually aware of the implications of the demerit point system.
The Department of Transportation said that the gradual introduction of the system will avoid a situation in which many vehicles are suspended or in which many drivers lose their license.
Below is a summary of the three phases:
- Phase one will allow demerit points for speeding, dangerous overtaking, failing to stop at traffic lights, driving without a valid driver’s license, and other dangerous driving behaviors.
- Phase two It will include crimes and infractions of economic importance, such as the protection of roads and bridges through the control of overloads and the non-payment of licenses.
- Phase three Infractions such as the failure to update addresses and other relevant information and infractions prosecuted through cameras and crimes related to parking will be added.
How the demerit point system will work
The new demerit point system will add points to a person when they commit a traffic violation and pay the fine.
The points will work as follows:
- The offender receives a penalty and, in addition to the penalty, also receives the demerit points assigned to the specific offense or offense.
- If they exceed 15 points (the maximum) they will be disqualified from driving or using the vehicle for a period of time (three months for each point that exceeds 15 points).
- Points for infractions and infractions range from six to one, depending on the severity of the infraction.
- The maximum points for a person with a driver’s license are 15 points, while the maximum for a beginning driver is 6 points.
- A person’s driver’s license card and a motor vehicle operator’s card must be surrendered for the disqualification period.
- After a third disqualification, the licenses will be canceled. A person must apply for a new learner’s license and a new driver’s license after the disqualification period is over.
- The time value of each point is three months for the purposes of disqualification or reduction.
- If demerit points are assigned and no more demerit points are accumulated within three months after receiving the previous demerit point, a reduction of one point in the total number of demerit points in the system will be recorded.
Basic demerit system point table
The new regulations include a comprehensive multi-page table for the new demerit point system.
The table provides a summary of the top offenses that will be included in the first phase of the demerit point system.
| Demerit points and financial penalties | ||
|---|---|---|
| Crime or infraction | Penalty fee | Points of demerit |
| Traffic signs and speed limits. | ||
| Didn’t obey the stop sign | 1,500 rand | two |
| You did not obey instructions on a four-way stop sign | 1,500 rand | two |
| Didn’t obey the sign to yield | 1,000 rands | one |
| You did not follow the instructions of a traffic sign for not maintaining or exceeding the specified speed limit | 1,000 rand | one |
| You did not follow the directions of a traffic sign by failing to pass on the left side | R500 | one |
| Non-compliance and licenses | ||
| Failure to stop the vehicle by order of a traffic officer | – | 6 |
| Driving a vehicle with a license learning without a licensed driver in the car | R3,500 | 5 |
| Failing to comply with the instructions of a police officer directing traffic. | R2,000 | 3 |
| You drove a vehicle on a public road with an expired license | R2,000 | 3 |
| You drove a vehicle on a public road without a license | R2,000 | 3 |
| Road safety and lights | ||
| Components removed or altered from the vehicle that affect its fitness for circulation | R3,500 | 5 |
| You drove a vehicle with a brake that is not in good working order. | R3,500 | 5 |
| Driven a vehicle between dusk or dawn or during unfavorable visibility conditions without lights (lights) | 1,500 rand | two |
| Driven a vehicle with a damaged lamp (light) | 1,000 rands | one |
| The stop lamp (light) does not emit a red light when in use | 1,000 rand | one |
| Seat belt | ||
| The driver did not ensure that all passengers were wearing a seat belt | 1,500 rand | one |
| Vehicle not properly equipped with seat belts | 1,000 rand | one |
| Seat belts are not working properly | R500 | one |
Full demerit system point table
The embedded PDF below provides the full demerit system point table.
BusinessTech Demerit System Points on Scribd
Comments on the new demerit system
Howard Dembvosky, founder and president of the Justice Project South Africa, shared his views on the new demerit system.
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