System is more forgiving on speed limits, but more expensive

How fast can you go without getting a speeding ticket? That's the question motorists face as the new Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) system promises drivers some lenience for exceeding the set speed limit.

- Brendan Seery & Eric Mthobeli Naki

CANCEL. Too many demerits and you lose your licence.

(Picture: Supplied)

Many motorists in the past fell victim to unscrupulous authorities who pulled them over to issue a fine, even if they had exceeded the speed limit by just a fraction.

Often, the poor motorist is at the mercy of traffic police who may use their discretion and either let the motorist go, or issue a fine, all without a hint of a smile.

This does not include the police who use exceeding the limit as a threat to force drivers to pay a bribe a common practice on South African urban roads.

However, the new dispensation includes a tolerance of around 10km/h, after which you could be fined if caught by traffic authorities or a speed trap on the road.