Authorities are taking a zero-tolerance approach to the following traffic violations this December. Speaking last week at the launch of the 2024 Road Safety campaign, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy highlighted traffic violations this December that will be heavily policed.
11 883 recorded deaths took place on South African roads in 2023. And 1 285 of those occurred during the festive season period, explained Creecy. “It is a tragic story of death and destruction, year in and year out. However, behind every statistic is a story. A life lost, a family left grieving, or a person dealing with life-changing injuries,” the minister said.
TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS THIS DECEMBER
Accordingly, services countrywide are on the lookout for the following traffic violations this December, in a bid to reduce lawlessness on Mzansi’s roads. Public Safety Departments will implement additional measures to enhance visible road policing like roadblocks. These will be set up across all metros and the focus will be licence violations, drunk drivers, vehicle fitness and pedestrian safety awareness,” confirmed the department.
With busyness on the roads reaching its zenith just before Christmas and again just before the New Year, fatalities on the roads also increase. Both the cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town are beefing up operations over the festive period, with police reservists being called into action.
COMMON VIOLATIONS AND THEIR FINES
Below we’ve created a list of the most common traffic violations recorded in December, including the applicable spot fine and AARTO act demerit points to go with them (when activate). So, best avoid breaking the following laws to not ruin your December holidays:
| Violation | Spot fine | AARTO points |
| Motor vehicle not registered | R1000 | 3 |
| Motor vehicle not licensed | R1000 | 3 |
| Not displaying number plates | Court | 6 |
| Displaying only one number plate | R500 | 1 |
| Non-applicable number plates | Court | 6 |
| Both plates obscured or illegible | Court | 6 |
| License disc not displayed | R500 | 1 |
| License disc obscured or illegible | R500 | 1 |
| Vehicle permanently unfit for use | R500 | 1 |
| No engine number | Court | 6 |
| Failing to comply with a traffic officer | R500 | 1 |
| Furnishing false information | Court | 6 |
| False number plate | Court | 6 |
| Failing to give way to emergency vehicle | R500 | 1 |
| Driving while using hand-held cellphone | R500 | 1 |
| Racing on public road | R1000 | 3 |
| Wilful obstruction of traffic flow | R750 | 2 |
| Pulling away from kerb before it is safe | R750 | 2 |
| Engine emitting smoke | R250 | 0 |
| Spillage of oil, petrol or litter | R250 | 0 |
| Driving on the sidewalk | R500 | 1 |
| Failing to yield to pedestrian at crossing | R500 | 1 |
| Overtaking stationary vehicle at pedestrian crossing | R500 | 1 |
| Abandoned vehicle | R500 | 1 |
| Damaging public road | R1000 | 3 |
| Trading illegally on public road | R250 | 0 |
*Note that these punishments are doubled in the Western Cape. And, as a reminder, under AARTO, motorists can only receive 15 demerit points on their license before suspension. You can only be suspended twice before it is revoked permanently. Each suspension means having to retake the driver’s/learner’s qualification test. There are currently 2 659 offences listed on the RTMC website.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THESE TRAFFIC LAW PUNISHMENTS?
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