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The Public Servants Association (PSA) welcomes the announcement by the Minister of Transport that the implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) demerit system has been postponed to July 2026.
 
This decision follows an assessment of municipal readiness, which revealed serious shortcomings in training, systems integration, and funding. The PSA has consistently raised concerns about the practicality and fairness of the AARTO system. The repeated delays since its inception underscore the PSA’s warnings that the system is unworkable, administratively burdensome, and risks creating more confusion than compliance.
 
Whilst the postponement offers temporary relief to motorists and road users, government should go further and scrap the AARTO demerit system completely. The model prioritises revenue collection over real road-safety improvements and introduces complex administrative processes that will strain municipalities and inconvenience to the public.
 
Instead of implementing a flawed system, the PSA urges the Department of Transport to focus on strengthening law-enforcement capacity, improving road infrastructure, and investing in public education campaigns to promote safe driving behaviour. These measures will deliver real, sustainable improvements in road safety without imposing unnecessary penalties and bureaucratic hurdles.
 
The PSA is committed to engaging with government on practical solutions that protect workers, motorists, and the broader public’s interests.
 

Issued by the Public Servants Association