AARTO System Goes Live in Parts of the Eastern Cape

Motorists in parts of the Eastern Cape are being warned to stick to the rules of the road as the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system officially came into operation in selected areas of the province from Tuesday, 1 July.

Under the new system, traffic violations committed in affected areas will no longer only result in fines, but could also see drivers accumulating demerit points against their licences.

Motorists who repeatedly break traffic laws risk reaching the demerit threshold, which could affect the renewal of driver’s licences and other licensing transactions. In severe cases, licences may be suspended or even cancelled.

The rollout applies to Provincial Traffic operations conducted from the following stations:

• Mthatha (including the Weighbridge)
• Komani
• Wilsonia
• Zwelitsha
• Struandale
• Maluti
• Maclear
• Mount Frere
• Mount Ayliff
• Aberdeen
• Graaff-Reinet
• Steynsburg
• Aliwal North

The Eastern Cape Department of Transport has urged motorists to familiarise themselves with the AARTO system and to drive responsibly as authorities aim to improve road safety and encourage greater compliance with traffic laws across the province.

For motorists in Komani and surrounding areas, offences such as speeding, ignoring traffic signs and other infringements committed within the jurisdiction of Provincial Traffic operations will now fall under the AARTO process.

The Department said the implementation forms part of broader efforts to improve driver behaviour and reduce crashes on South Africa’s roads.