Speeding Mini driver out on bail
A driver stopped for speeding outside Alkmaar tried to run away before he was caught and arrested by traffic officials
Mr Sibusiso Mkhonto (29) was arrested on the N4 near Alkmaar after driving 202 kilometres per hour in a 120 kilometres-per-hour zone last Thursday.
Mkhonto, who was driving a red Mini Cooper, attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended by traffic officials. He appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Friday and was granted R1 000 bail.
He will be back in court on Tuesday, October 17. The National Assembly passed the latest Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) amendment bill last month.
The amendment bill has some provisions that could have serious consequences for licence holders and motor vehicle owners across the country.
AARTO held public hearings prior to adding amendments to the bill, which is set up to remove habitual traffic offenders from South Africa’s roads and highways.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has also reportedly issued a countrywide instruction that all outstanding traffic fines issued in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) should be cancelled after 18 months, if no summons has been issued.
This will apply to all South Africans who drive on behalf of companies. The bill will implement a points-demerit system.
Every driver starts with zero points and will have their licence suspended for three months if they exceed 12 points.
The authorities will hold onto the driver’s licence if it is suspended.
The licence will be cancelled if a driver gets suspended three times.
If a car owner lends his or her car to someone, or was not the one driving when a offence occurs, they will be liable for the fine unless they have gathered all the details of the driver (full name, ID number, residential and business addresses and contact details).
Motorists will be able to lodge grievances with an appeals tribunal that will hear and adjudicate their appeals. If they feel that the process was not just, they can take the matter to the High Court.
The bill has been passed and could be implemented as soon as the end of the 2017/18 financial year.
