As millions of South Africans prepare to travel over the Easter long weekend, motorists are urged to check outstanding traffic fines before setting off.

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Easter is one of the busiest travel periods, with heavier traffic on national highways and increased police visibility through roadblocks, patrols, and enforcement operations.

Barry Berman, CEO of Fines SA, says many drivers unknowingly travel with unpaid fines that can cause delays or extra costs if not resolved.

“Enforcement increases over Easter, with more roadblocks and routine checks on licences, vehicle compliance, and fines. Many motorists only discover unresolved fines when stopped,” he says. “Checking beforehand can prevent stress and penalties.”

Unpaid fines can escalate to enforcement orders or warrants, especially if missed, undelivered, or ignored. Verified platforms like Fines SA allow motorists to check and resolve fines across multiple authorities before travelling.

Authorities typically increase enforcement during long weekends to reduce accidents and promote safer driving.

Common roadblock checks include:

• Driver’s licence validity
• Vehicle roadworthiness
• Licence disc compliance
• Outstanding fines
• Speeding and distracted driving

With the rollout of automated enforcement in South Africa, AI-powered cameras can now detect offences like mobile phone use and not wearing seatbelts — making fines more likely.

Berman notes that long weekends often see spikes in violations such as speeding, distracted driving, expired licences, and seatbelt offences.

“Many of these are avoidable, but ignored fines can accumulate and create financial and legal risk,” he says.

South Africa is also preparing for broader implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system, which introduces demerit points. Repeated offences could lead to licence suspension.

“Compliance will matter more than ever. Drivers who clear fines early, use discounts, and keep records clean will be better prepared,” Berman says.

“Digital tools simplify what can otherwise be a fragmented process. Checking before travelling helps resolve issues quickly and reduce costs,” Berman explains.

Before travelling, motorists should:

• Check for outstanding fines
• Ensure licences and discs are valid
• Confirm vehicle roadworthiness
• Allow extra travel time to avoid speeding
• Avoid using mobile phones while driving

“Most fines are avoidable when drivers stay informed,” he says. “The goal is not just avoiding penalties, but safer roads during a busy travel period.”

Motorists can check their compliance status via verified platforms such as the Fines SA portal or app on iOS, Android, and Huawei.

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