The new set of laws in South Africa will see anything obstructing the flow of safer roads and accountability. Licences can now be instantly withdrawn from drivers following the commission of particular infringements as defined in the amended Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act.
Immediate Licence Suspension for Serious Offences
With the update to the AARTO Act, a system was introduced where demerit points are calculated on a driver’s record. Where a driver accumulates as many as 12 points, then there is an immediate licence suspension for a period of three months. With further points accrued, there could be longer periods of suspension or permanent revocation of driving privileges. Some offences that attract demerit points are speeding, reckless driving, or driving while under the influence.
Increase Enforcement Measures
To give effect to the new regulations, the National Road Traffic Amendment Act has been promulgated with respect to the integrity of driver testing and licensing processes. This provides for greater supervision of driving schools, examiners and test centres to guard against fraudulent activities and ensure compliance with standards of safety. The Act further requires the registration and grading of training centres and driving licence test centres to ensure standardization and improve the quality of driver training.
Challenges to Licence Renewal Processes
Strict enforcement of these laws is being met with a crippling licensing renewal system. The licence card printing is done by the lone machine installed in South Africa for decades. However, the machine has recently broken down numerous times, cumulatively resulting in significant backlogs. Attempts to procure new machines have been halted due to allegations of irregularities in the tendering processes and subsequent court actions, leaving thousands of drivers waiting for extended periods to be issued with their renewed licences.
Calls for Systemic Reforms
According to the arguments rallying our above defects, proposals to extend the validity period of driving licences from five to ten years and to introduce digital licences have been rejected by the government on the grounds that people should be checked regularly for their health and vision. However, critics feel that the move could really ease the backlogs and elevate the licensing system to modern standards.
Conclusion
The new driving legislations in South Africa will signify a turning point in the emphasis on stricter enforcement and accountability on the roads. While these measures intend to improve safety, they draw attention to the dire need for systemic reforms of the licensing architecture so as to confront inefficiencies involved in the existing one and go hand in hand with the new laws.