New AARTO laws target reckless and negligent drivers
Now that the validity of the AARTO Act has been endorsed in the Constitutional Court, the new act will target reckless and negligent drivers. This was the sticking point for the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), which had AARTO overturned in a Pretoria High Court by arguing the new laws were not motivated by improving safety, reducing […]
Now that the validity of the AARTO Act has been endorsed in the Constitutional Court, the new act will target reckless and negligent drivers.
This was the sticking point for the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), which had AARTO overturned in a Pretoria High Court by arguing the new laws were not motivated by improving safety, reducing fatalities and removing reckless and negligent drivers from our roads.
RECKLESS AND NEGLIGENT DRIVERS BEWARE
Now, the Department of Transport has said it approves of the findings of the apex court and will roll the system out across the country with speed and without delay.
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“The implementation of this law across the country has been pending for 25 years. In the coming days, the department will ensure that the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) mobilises the necessary capacity and proceeds with its rollout plans across the country,” it said.
DEMERIT SYSTEM COMING ONLINE SOON
Similarly, the department said it would implement the point-based demerit system as soon as possible, as it is “… an important cornerstone of the Aarto Act intended to drive motorist behaviour on our roads.”
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Chief Justice Raymond Zondo believes AARTO will improve the safety of motorists on South African roads and, as a result, penalties against reckless and negligent drivers will be heavy handed.
WHAT THIS MEANS RECKLESS AND NEGLIGENT DRIVERS
Below is a list of all reckless and negligent fines and the demerit points that go with them. And as you’ll see, they carry the strictest sanctions of all:
| Violation | Fine | Points |
| Reckless driving | Court | 6 |
| Inconsiderate driving | R250 | 0 |
| Driving under the influence | Court | 6 |
| Blood alcohol level for: | ||
| Motorist not less than 0,05 g per 100 ml | Court | 6 |
| PrDP driver not less than 0,02 g per 100 ml | Court | 6 |
| Breath alcohol level for: | ||
| Motorist not less than 0,24 mg per 1 000 ml | Court | 6 |
| PrDP driver not less than 0,10 mg per 1 000 ml | Court | 6 |
| Smoked before blood/breath test | R1 250 | 4 |
| Refusing to give blood or breath sample | R1 500 | 5 |
There are currently 2 659 offences listed on the AARTO website, including their fines and associated demerit points. You can find a full list of them HERE.
FULL LIST OF AARTO FINES
We’ve compiled lists of all the following AARTO fines and their demerit points:
As a reminder, motorists may only receive 15 demerit points on their license before suspension. You can be suspended twice before your driving license is taken away permanently. Each suspension means having to retake a driver’s/learner’s qualification test.
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