The Department of Transport has announced that the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) system will be rolled out in 69 municipalities on October 1.
Transport Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa made the announcement during the department’s budget vote debate in Parliament, where he outlined the phased implementation plan.
“The Aarto will be rolled out in different phases according to municipal readiness from October 1, 2025, for the 69 municipalities which are ready for the rollout,” Hlengwa said.
“This is phase two of the Aarto rollout programme, while phase three will be rolled out on February 1, 2026, for the 144 municipalities that will only be ready then.”
Hlengwa noted that research indicated over 80% of road crashes stemmed from human error.
“To ensure positive changes in road user behaviour, the department will roll out the Aarto Act, central to which is the demerit system that systematically aims to contain road user behaviour,” he said.
The new rollout date follows a false report last month suggesting an imminent demerit system launch, which the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) dismissed as incorrect.
Preparations are advancing, with the RTIA confirming in a statement that draft Aarto regulations are ready and the selection process for the Aarto Appeals Tribunal is nearing completion.
“Aarto connectivity of issuing authorities to the e-Natis is under way. Training of the more than 25 000 traffic officers across the country is under way,” the agency said.
“Preparations to implement the points demerit system and the Aarto rehabilitation programme as part of phase 3 are under way. Service outlets have been established nationwide, and education campaigns are ongoing across all nine provinces and digital platforms.”
