THE launch of the new Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) could prove to be a turning point in traffic management and could make a huge contribution to reducing the carnage on our roads, says Mpumi Mpofu, Director- General of Transport.
“The purpose of the AARTO is to promote quality, safety and discipline in road traffic by providing for a scheme to discourage road traffic contraventions and to facilitate the adjudication of road traffic infringements,” she said at the launch of the pilot project in Tshwane.
One benefit is the automatic 50% discount if a payment is made within the first 32 days, including the option to apply to pay in installments.
Alternatively, the infringer can elect to be tried in court or make a representation to the agency or nominate a driver or person in control of the vehicle at the time when the infringement was committed.
If the infringer does not exercise any of these actions, then it escalates to phase 2 when the full amount and administration fee is payable, without discount.
Alternatively one can elect to be tried in court.
Alternatively, the matter gets elevated to phase 3, which is the third cycle of 32 days, when the infringer must pay the full amount or apply for revocation of the enforcement order. At this stage the registrar of the agency can list the infringer with the Credit Bureau.
Should the infringer fail to exercise any of the options, the Registrar will authorise the issuing of a warrant of execution (phase 4).
The only option left at this stage is to pay the total outstanding amount including the administration fee and the cost of the Sherriff for that warrant. If the infringer does not pay, the Sherriff can seize and sell the movable property of the infringer.
Drivers who are guilty of infringements or offences can receive demerit points, ultimately leading to the suspension and cancellation of driving licences.
The implementation in the Western Cape is planned for next year.
