Traffic authorities across eight Mpumalanga municipalities have officially scrapped traditional traffic fines in favour of full AARTO enforcement.

In Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, drivers are feeling the heat after local authorities clocked more than 25 000 speeding offences following the roll-out of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system on July 1.

The Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL) confirmed that eight municipal areas across the province are now actively enforcing the new law.

Both local and provincial traffic officers have fully switched to the AARTO framework.

Alongside Steve Tshwete, the new system is up and running in the City of Mbombela, Nkomazi, Thaba Chweu, eMalahleni, Thembisile Hani, Govan Mbeki and Lekwa.

Speaking on the transition, DCSSL spokesperson Moeti Mmusi made it clear that old enforcement methods are officially off the table.

“With this implementation, traffic authorities in these areas will no longer issue Section 56 or Section 341 notices to offending motorists in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act,” said Mmusi.

“Only infringement notices issued in terms of AARTO will be used.”

However, drivers hoping to escape old penalties are out of luck as Mmusi confirmed that any fines issued prior to July 1 must still be settled in full.

The system itself is managed by the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA).

Following trial phases in Tshwane and Johannesburg, the eight Mpumalanga municipalities have joined Phase Two of the national expansion, which covers 62 areas nationwide.

“AARTO was enacted in 1998 to improve road safety and reduce the number of fatal crashes on South African roads,” Mmusi added.

How the new rules work for drivers

Motorists who receive an AARTO notice have a 32-day clock to respond.

Acting quickly provides several options, including a 50% discount for drivers who pay within the initial 32 days.

Vehicle owners can also nominate another driver if someone else was behind the wheel when the offence occurred.

Fines of R750 or more can be paid in monthly instalments, while motorists can dispute fines through the AARTO Appeals Tribunal or take the matter to court if they disagree with the ruling.

What happens if you ignore a fine?

Ignoring an infringement notice leads to swift administrative action.

Drivers who miss the initial 32-day deadline forfeit the 50% discount and incur extra administrative charges.

“The RTIA will then send a formal courtesy letter, giving the driver a further 32 days to respond,” said Mmusi.
Motorists with unresolved enforcement orders will be blocked from renewing their driving licences, updating vehicle licence discs or registering new vehicles.