/ 23 November 2009

Points-demerit traffic system to begin next year

The points-demerit traffic system will be implemented next year, the Road Traffic Management Corporation said on Monday.

The points-demerit traffic system will be implemented next year, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said on Monday.

Spokesperson Thandi Moya said the RTMC was concerned about false emails doing the rounds, saying that the system had already been implemented.

”Emails with false information cause unnecessary panic for the members of the public, especially the business community, and we firmly request those spreading the false news to refrain from this conduct,” she said.

”The introduction of the points-demerit system will be implemented as part of the national roll-out in 2010.”

Moya said a pilot project (Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences — AARTO) to identify problem areas in the legislation was presently being carried out in Tshwane and Johannesburg.

Currently motorists were not being penalised in terms of the demerit point system.

”However, as from 2010 when AARTO is implemented throughout South Africa, demerit points will reflect against the driving licence of infringing motorists on the National Contravention Register [NCR] on eNaTIS,” Moya said in a statement.

The demerit system could lead to the suspension or even cancellation of driver’s licences. — Sapa