Motorists in eight Mpumalanga municipal areas will now face a new system for dealing with traffic infringements following the implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (AARTO) from July 1.

The Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison has warned motorists in the affected areas to familiarise themselves with the new system, which replaces the issuing of Section 56 and Section 341 notices under the Criminal Procedure Act.

The AARTO system is now being implemented by both provincial and local traffic authorities in the City of Mbombela, Nkomazi, Thaba Chweu, Steve Tshwete, Emalahleni, Thembisile Hani, Govan Mbeki and Lekwa municipal areas.

Under the new system, traffic authorities will issue infringement notices in terms of AARTO instead of the traditional Section 56 or Section 341 notices.

However, motorists who received notices under the Criminal Procedure Act before July 1 are still required to settle those outstanding notices.

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AARTO was enacted in 1998 with the aim of improving road safety and reducing fatalities on South African roads.

The system is administered by the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA), an entity of the National Department of Transport.

The national rollout is taking place in phases.

The eight Mpumalanga municipalities form part of Phase 2 of the implementation, which includes 62 municipalities nationally, following pilot projects in the City of Tshwane and Johannesburg in Gauteng.

What motorists need to know
Motorists who receive an AARTO infringement notice have 32 days to respond to the notice. During this period, they can pay the penalty and qualify for a 50% discount.

They can also nominate the driver who was driving the vehicle when the offence was committed, apply to pay a penalty of R750 or more in instalments, or lodge an appeal with the Appeals Tribunal.

If a motorist remains dissatisfied after exhausting the available processes, the matter can be taken to court.

Motorists who fail to respond within the initial 32-day period will receive a courtesy letter and lose the 50% discount. Additional administrative fees will also be added.

The motorist will then have another 32 days to respond to the courtesy letter. Failure to respond within this second period can result in an enforcement order being issued.

The department warned that motorists who fail to settle infringement penalties within the prescribed periods could face consequences when dealing with their vehicles and licences. Such motorists will not be allowed to renew their driving licences or motor vehicle licences, or register new vehicles.

The department urged motorists to understand the AARTO process and respond to infringement notices within the prescribed timeframes to avoid additional costs and enforcement action.

For more information, motorists can contact the RTIA Communications Office through Monde Mkhaliphi on 082 575 3976 or 083 305 5212.