South Africa’s long-awaited driver demerit system will officially come into effect on December 1, according to a national transport spokesperson. The announcement was made during a wide-ranging interview focused on the country’s transport sector this October, which is observed as Transport Month.
Transport Spokesperson Collen Msibi confirmed the implementation date for the system, which operates under the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO). He sought to allay public fears, describing the system as an “innovative way of dealing with issues of safety on our roads.”
Msibi explained that the new system has two primary goals: to decriminalize traffic infringements and to target habitual offenders. Under the new framework, drivers will start with a allocation of points. Each traffic offense will deduct points, and once a driver exceeds the threshold, their driver’s license will be suspended for three months.
“It is there to promote people from being able to behave correctly on the road,” Msibi stated, emphasizing that the system is not intended to punish professional drivers but to encourage better road conduct. He cited examples from Australia and pilot projects in Soweto and Johannesburg as evidence of the system’s potential effectiveness.
The spokesperson also clarified the enforcement mechanism for unpaid fines. If a fine is not paid, an enforcement order will be issued, which will prevent the offender from renewing their driver’s license or vehicle disc until the fine is settled.
Driver’s License Card Backlog Nearly Cleared
In a related matter, Msibi provided an update on the country’s driver’s license card backlog. He revealed that a single, aging printing machine broke down between February 5 and May 8, creating a backlog of 733,000 cards.
“We are out of the woods to a very large point,” Msibi reported, stating that as of October 11, the department had printed over 1.3 million cards and reduced the backlog to approximately 200,000. He expects the backlog to be completely eliminated by the end of December.
For those affected by the delays, a dispensation remains in place, allowing for an extension of their license’s validity and the use of a temporary license.
Msibi addressed the critical vulnerability of relying on a single machine, explaining that a process to acquire new machines and new smart card technology began in 2022. However, the tender process was halted after the Auditor General found irregularities. The matter is now before the courts, as the department seeks a declaratory order to cancel the current tender and start the process afresh.
Caller Raises Concerns Over Fine Processing
During the segment, a caller from Kempton Park, identified only as D.O., raised a concern about the 50% discount offered for early payment of fines. He stated that fines often arrive late, sometimes more than three months after the offense, by which time the discount is no longer applicable.
In response, Msibi advised that motorists who receive fines late can make representations to AARTO for reconsideration. He also noted that AARTO increasingly uses SMS notifications to alert motorists of infringements promptly.
Msibi also urged citizens who sell their vehicles to complete and submit a specific form at the traffic department to notify them of the change in ownership. This prevents traffic fines from continuing to be sent to the previous owner.
The spokesperson concluded by acknowledging ongoing issues with system downtime at Driving License Testing Centres (DLTCs), such as the one in Randburg, which often causes long queues and public frustration. He apologized for the inconvenience and attributed the problems to issues including load-shedding and high demand, assuring the public that the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) is working on improvements.
