Story By: Themba Nyathikazi

Durban motorists should start preparing themselves for the new demerit-based Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) system, Deputy City Manager of Procurement and Infrastructure, Derek Naidoo, has warned. The new system has been in the pipeline for years, but is now being rolled out countrywide, with all centres, including Durban, scheduled to be Aarto-compliant by the end of March next year.

The half-price traffic fines amnesty being offered by the eThekwini Metro Police is one of the steps the Municipality is taking to ensure it is ready to implement Aarto. “The punitive measures as covered in the Aarto Act provide a solution to the problems of non compliance with traffic laws and adherence to sanctions imposed. “This Act aims to establish an effective, speedy adjudication of infringements through an administrative procedure that will relieve the burden on the courts,” Naidoo said. Malcolm Joshua, Head of City Fleet, said the Act allows for the seizing of moveable assets, blacklisting and a demerit points system whereby motorists who accumulate more than 12 points will have their licences suspended.

nyathikazit@durban.gov.za