Aarto implementation postponed – again

Implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) Act, which has now been pending for months, will happen sometime in 2011. This is the only word on the matter from the Department of Transport which remains mum on when exactly it plans to implement the new Act that will introduce a demerit point and fine system for traffic offences. Originally due for implementation on November 1 last year, the date was postponed to April 1 this year due to systems and people not being ready for the big change. The change of tack by the DoT is contrary to the Aarto website that on January 6 stated “there are 84 days left until demerit points come into force according to the most recent re-announcement of the Department of Transport”. According to Logan Maistry, spokesman for the Minister of Transport, no definite date has been set for the implementation of the new Act. “The Act will definitely be implemented this year, but not necessarily on April 1. The minister will make a public announcement about the date of implementation in due course,” he told FTW last week. Various reasons exist for the delay ranging from problems with communications to budgetary constraints and even the training of people to enable them to use the system correctly. Currently being piloted in Johannesburg and Tshwane, the Act was enacted in 1998. The new system is aimed at reducing road traffic fatalities in South Africa – among the highest in the world. The Aarto Act seeks to tackle this problem by imposing hefty fines coupled with demerit points, which will in some instances lead to the suspension of driving licences.