Traffic authorities look set to clamp down on South Africa’s irresponsible drivers with a new set of tough measures and penalties ranging from hefty fines to having their licences revoked.

Traffic authorities look set to clamp down on South Africa’s irresponsible drivers with a new set of tough measures and penalties ranging from hefty fines to having their licences revoked.

The demerit system, or the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO), will be implemented by the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) in Tswane from January 2007. The system will apply to drivers in that area from July with a national rollout expected to follow in 18 months.

This system is based on a successful model implemented in Australia and has been made possible by the card format licences that enable storing of individual driver records.

The points demerit system can be explained as follows:

  • Each driver will start out with zero points (irrespective of the number of classes of vehicle licences held);
  • Points are allocated according to infringements or offences committed (there are different values for different infringements and offences);

  • Points are incurred (allocated) on the date a penalty (fine) is paid or when the person is convicted of the offence (as the case may be);
  • Operators receive points separately from their drivers (i.e. a transport company receives points allocated to the operators permit);
  • When you reach 13 points and more, the licence (and/or operator card) is suspended with effect from 32 days after the maximum points (12) have been reached;
  • The suspension period is calculated in months equal to the number of points exceeding 12, multiplied by three (or such number as may be prescribed by the Minister of Transport);
  • The number of points (demerits) added will depend on the severity of the offence;
  • The driver/operator may apply for the return of the licence on expiry of the suspension (disqualification) period;
  • A driver/operator who is disqualified for the third time will permanently lose the licence/operator card and will have to reapply for testing and issue (as for a first time licence/operator applicant) after expiry of the disqualification period;

  • Demerit points will be reduced (for all persons/operators) at a flat rate of one point per every three months (or as otherwise prescribed).

Deductions for speeding:

  • Exceeding the limit by no more than 20 per cent: R500 fine but no demerit points (eg. 72 km/h in a 60 zone, 120 km/h in a 100 zone, and 144 km/h in a 120 zone);
  • 21- to 30 per cent over the limit: R500 fine and one demerit point (eg. 121 km/h in a 100 zone or as much as 156 km/h in a 120 zone);
  • 31- to 45 per cent over the limit: R750 fine, two demerit points and an immediate suspension of the licence for three months (eg. 87 km/h in a 60 zone, from 131 km/h in a 100 zone, or up to 174 km/h in a 120 zone.
  • 46- to 60 per cent over the limit: R1 250 fine, three demerit points and an immediate suspension of the licence for six months (eg. 96 km/h in a 60 zone or 192 km/h in a 120 zone;
  • Exceeding the limit by more than 61 per cent will grant you an immediate court appearance, a possible hefty fine and four demerit points.

The guidelines for points to be deducted have not yet been finalised, but drivers can expect something along the lines of these penalties for the following offences:

  • Owning an unregistered vehicle: R500 fine and two demerit points;
  • Leaving your licence at home: R500 fine and two demerit points;
  • Not wearing your seatbelt: R250 fine and one demerit point;
  • Skipping a stop sign: R750 fine and three demerit points;
  • Overloading your vehicle by more than 25 per cent: R1 250 fine and three demerit points.

According to National Transport Department official Ndivhuwo Mabaya, each motorist will be allocated 12 points at the beginning of each year. If a driver does not commit any offences, their points will be carried over to the next year with an additional bonus point – a total of 25 points.

This system would be repeated each year rewarding good drivers with a bank of bonus points. These points will not, however, protect you when committing a serious offence such as drunk driving or excessive speeding. In these cases, the law will resume its normal course with you ending up in court.

Authorities have stressed that this system is still in its infancy and will be continuously fine-tuned over time.

Original article from Car