Delay of AARTO Act sparks fiery debate

THE National Department of Transport has delayed the expanded implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act until July 2026.

- KAREN SINGH

The decision, attributed to concerns regarding municipalities' readiness and the potential implications for road safety, has ignited a fiery debate across the nation regarding the Act's viability and necessity.

The AARTO system, which threatens to revoke drivers' licences for accumulated infringement points, was initially scheduled to be fully operational by December.

However, Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, alongside Deputy Minister, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, decided to defer the rollout amid increasing criticism.

The Public Servants Association (PSA) welcomed the announcement, stating that it has consistently raised concerns about the practicality and fairness of the AARTO system. "The repeated delays since its inception underscore the PSA’s warnings that the system is unworkable, administratively burdensome, and risks creating more confusion than compliance," said PSA spokesperson Reuben Maleka.

He added that while the postponement offers temporary relief, the government should scrap the AARTO demerit system completely.

"The model prioritises revenue collection over real road safety improvements and introduces complex administrative processes that will strain municipalities and inconvenience the public," he said.

Instead of implementing a flawed system, the PSA appealed to the Department of Transport to focus on strengthening law enforcement.