(AARTO) will reduce road deaths

Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) will reduce road deaths

7 January 2010

Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele is confident that the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO), to be implemented throughout South Africa later this year (2010), will significantly reduce road crashes and deaths.

“The implementation of AARTO and the Points Demerit system, throughout South Africa later this year, will certainly reduce lawlessness on our roads and contribute significantly to a reduction in road crashes and deaths. AARTO will also improve the overall safety of road users and encourage responsible road behaviour. The objectives of AARTO include penalising 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,” said the Minister.

According to preliminary reports, more than 1 100 deaths were recorded on South Africa’s roads between 1 and 31 December 2009. Between 1 and 6 January 2010, 103 fatalities were recorded.

Meanwhile, Minister Ndebele has described as “ludicrous” claims that road fatality statistics were being fixed.

“Claims that the road fatality statistics were being fixed is ludicrous. We, at the Department of Transport, have constantly maintained that the number of road deaths in our country is totally unacceptable and that one death on our roads is one death too many. So why will we fiddle with statistics and what will we achieve by doing this?

“The Department of Transport, through the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), releases official road crash and road death statistics. These statistics are verified with the South African Police Service (SAPS) before they are released.

“It has always been stated that December 2009 and January 2010 road death statistics released thus far were preliminary, and not final. These statistics are regularly updated as and when received. Updated statistics for this period will be released later this month. However, road deaths are more than mere statistics. These are the lives of human-beings, the lives of mothers, fathers and children. We want to re-emphasise that one road death, is one too many. We have no reason to fiddle with figures. Our aim as government is to save lives. We, therefore, call upon any individual or organisation that is able to provide proof that the statistics were fiddled with to please come forward with such information.

“We also call upon more organisations and individuals to actively partner with government in addressing the carnage on our roads, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Road safety forums will soon be part of every municipality in the country and we want as many stakeholders as possible to actively participate in these forums. If we work in harmony, side by side, we will achieve our common goal of safer roads and responsible road users. There is no room for self interest. It does not matter if you are a driver, passenger, pedestrian, vehicle owner or traffic law enforcer; accountability, consideration and vigilance save lives! We must win this battle against road deaths. Together, we can win this battle against road deaths,” Minister Ndebele said.

From 1 December 2009 to 6 January 2010, as part of the Festive Season Arrive Alive Road Safety campaign:

* at least 720 000 vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked across the country
* more than 290 000 motorists were fined for speeding
* 3 569 drunk drivers arrested
* 262 motorists arrested for reckless and negligent driving
* 2 849 vehicles that are not roadworthy were removed from the roads, including 1 503 buses and taxis and
* thousands of drivers also fined for non-wearing of seatbelts and other offences.

Traffic volumes are expected to increase over the next few days as several people return home. Law enforcement officers will continue to be out in full force to ensure safety on the roads.

Road safety is everybody’s responsibility. All road users are encouraged to report bad driving on 0861 400 800.

Enquiries:

Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 6444 050

Issued by: Department of Transport
7 January 2010