Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) is ready to implement the amended Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto). 

According to municipality spokesperson, Neville Ndlala, their traffic officers had already received training and a mobile truck has also arrived that will assist officers in implementing the new regulations. 

He said the only outstanding issue was an Aarto outlet which is expected to be set up at the municipality and should be done by the end of this week. 

With eight sites ready provincially to rollout Aarto regulations, acting administrative head, Jane Mulaudzi, said 309 operational officers were trained. 

One of the contentious parts of the amended regulations is the points demerit system which is a system that penalises drivers found guilty of traffic offences or infringements. 

Accumulating demerit points could lead to a suspension or cancellation of licences, operator cards or professional driving permits. All drivers start with zero points. 

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When the point limit is exceeded, a motorist’s driver’s licence will be suspended for three months. If the person drives with a suspended licence, they could be fined or imprisoned. 

Once a driver’s licence is suspended three times, the driver has to start the process of getting a new driver’s licence again. 

Limpopo municipalities identified as ready to implement the Aarto system include the Greater Giyani Local Municipality, GTM, Mogalakwena Local Municipality, Mokopane, Makhado Local Municipality, and the Elias Motswaledi Local Municipality. 

Mulaudzi added that the primary goal of the Aarto system was to improve road safety. She said that motorists must account for their behaviour. She further warned that the points demerit system was not meant to punish but to promote good behaviour by drivers. 

The phased approach to the Aarto provincial rollout is planned as follows. 

Phase 1: 1 July 2021 – 30 September. • Aarto service at Polokwane Municipality started to operate virtually from July 2021. 

Phase 2: 1 October 2021 – 31 December 2021. • Eight local municipalities to be proclaimed for Aarto rollout. • Additional two Aarto service outlets for Limpopo province will be opened at Thulamela and Fetakgomo-Tubatse. • The adjudication process to be effective. • Appeals tribunal to be functional. 

Phase 3: 1 January 2022 – 30 June 2022. • All remaining local authorities to be proclaimed Aarto rollout. 

Phase 4: 1 July 2022 – 1 July 2023. • Coming online of the Points Demerit System (PDS) to be functional. • The rehabilitation programme to be effective. • Self-service kiosks.