The Administrative of Road Traffic Offences Act, No. 46 of 1998, (AARTO), which was approved by Parliament in 1998, will enter into force on 1 September 2007 in the magisterial district of Tshwane on a pilot basis for a period of 7 months. On 1 April 2008 the system will be rolled-out on a national basis.
The objectives of AARTO are, amongst others : to encourage the payment of penalties imposed for infringements; to establish a procedure for the effective and expeditious adjudication of infringements; with the purpose to encourage compliance with the national and provincial laws and to alleviate the burden on the courts of trying offenders for infringements. AARTO further aims to penalise drivers and operators who are guilty of infringements or offences through the imposition of demerit points leading to the suspension and cancellation of driving licences, professional driving permits or operator cards.