Keynote address at the launch of the Tshwane Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Pilot, by Mr Jeff Radebe, MP Minister of Transport, Phumlani Toll Plaza, Tshwane

Programme Director, Mr Japh Chuwe
Honourable MEC's
Honourable Mayors
Honourable Members of the Portfolio Committees of Transport
The CEO of Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), Mr Ranthoko Rakgoale
Director-General of Transport, Ms Mpumi Mpofu
Chairpersons and Members of the RTMC and Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) Boards
Members of the Traffic Police and the South African Police Service (SAPS)
Members of the Media
Ladies and gentlemen

We are gathered here today to celebrate a very important milestone in road safety - the launch of South Africa's first comprehensive blueprint for tackling the problem of lawlessness at its roots: the launch of the AARTO Pilot Project.

During our budget speech in parliament on 20 May 2008, I had the opportunity to remind parliament of three specific priorities that we set ourselves as the Transport Ministry after the third democratic elections in 2004. On that occasion, we firmly recommitted ourselves to the urgent achievement of these priorities.

Firstly, we said we will focus our energies to improve our public transport system to benefit the rural and urban poor in our country; secondly, we committed ourselves to accelerate infrastructure development both as an instrument of growth and as an employment driver; and thirdly, we firmly committed ourselves to improving on safety and security within the transport sector.

Today, we are firmly focused on achieving that third priority. The road traffic environment in our country has over the years been faced with difficult challenges. Research has shown that a very high percentage of accidents are preceded by a road traffic violation, which makes the improvement of road-user perceptions, attitudes and behaviour a matter of urgency.

The challenge of decreasing the high rate of non-compliance with traffic laws and regulations, coupled with a continuous downward trend in the finalisation of traffic violations and a judicial system that is unable to effectively deal with traffic infringements, must be vigorously dealt with as a matter of urgent priority.

The estimated cost of the impact of deaths and injuries sustained as a result of road accidents is now R43 billion. As part of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), we have committed ourselves to halving accidents by 2015. It is my contention that this figure will automatically reduce to the same proportion of the accidents. To this end, halving accidents on our roads by 2015 will create a positive contribution to the economy by an equivalent amount.

I put it to you that our greatest challenge is to change the attitudes and behaviour of our motorists. We need to inculcate responsible behaviour so that people can take seriously the duties imposed on them when they set out to enjoy the use and benefits of our road network. The country has been experiencing about fifteen thousand fatalities annually. Whilst there are a myriad of reasons why the situation has been dire and in spite of numerous, high-profile visible policing, an alarmingly high number of drivers and pedestrians have continuously abrogated their responsibilities with regard to road safety. This reckless attitude has unfairly jeopardised the safety of other road users and continue to put many lives at risks.

Although the number of fatalities on our roads is still unacceptably high, I am pleased to emphasise that we are making steady progress in decreasing the number of fatal crashes and fatalities on our roads. This can be attributed to an improvement in co-ordination, better planned road traffic law enforcement operations as well as improved monitoring and evaluation over the past year 2007/08. Our actions were further intensified through the National Rolling Enforcement Plan, which consolidated the efforts of all law enforcement agencies and evidenced co-operative governance across all spheres of government, ably led by the Road Traffic Management Corporation. This strategy emphasises comprehensive law enforcement throughout the year, with visible policing that directly impacts on the increment of safety on our roads.

The implementation of the AARTO gives credence to the fact that road safety is key to responsible management of road transport operations. Two of the most important catalysts in effecting an improvement in driver behaviour and law compliance are well planned, efficient and effective law enforcement coupled with and supported by an equally effective, expeditious and just road traffic adjudication system.

The current adjudication process, which results in many traffic notices not being considered by the courts and left un-concluded, de-motivates law enforcement officers across the board.

This also perpetuates the current situation of lawlessness and the carnage we have been experiencing on our roads. Today, we embark on a journey that will redefine traffic enforcement and increase safety on our roads. We are saying that we can no longer tolerate irresponsible behaviour shown by some of the motorists on our roads. The AARTO project that we are launching today decriminalises traffic violations and deals with them through an effective, fair, objective and expeditious administrative system. We are implementing the AARTO Act on a pilot phase in the Municipality of Tshwane, to be followed by Johannesburg shortly before being rolled out nationally.

Among other things ladies and gentlemen, the implementation of the AARTO forges a closer and more effective and efficient link between the enforcement and the adjudication process. It brings parity of fines across the country which will encourage the road using public to take traffic violations and resulting fines with the seriousness it deserves.

Through the implementation of the Points Demerit System, we will be able to identify habitual offenders who disregard the laws and punish them appropriately. Ultimately, this may lead to the suspension and cancellation of driving licenses. However, it is a positive system in that we will also reward positive behaviour that shows the motorist is now abiding by the laws, through the reduction of the demerit points already allocated.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is a well-known fact that South Africa will host the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Whilst this occasion is anticipated with excitement and enthusiasm, I am pleased that transport is playing a critical role in ensuring the success of this magnificent event. We recognise that the eyes of the world will be on South Africa, and that subsequent World Cup events will be bench-marked on the success of the 2010 event. Today's launch of the AARTO therefore is proof of a radical improvement in transport management that will leave a lasting legacy in road safety.

By the end of 2010, South Africa will boast a transport system and services that rank among the best in the World. The confidence I have in this is strengthened by the plans to give effect to the Road Safety Strategy and today's launch of the AARTO. Furthermore, we are convinced that with the AARTO, we shall be able to radically change people's behaviour and attitude to the betterment of our country.

The implementation of this AARTO pilot will enable us to test the applicable systems, processes and procedures and gear ourselves for national rollout in 2009. As soon as all systems are ready for national rollout, we will then be able to immediately implement the Points Demerit System. Allow me to further indicate that the AARTO national rollout will go a long way in making a positive impact and indicating our state of readiness for the promotion of road safety in addition to the Arrive Alive Programme as well as enhancing traffic measures during World Cup 2010.

In conclusion ladies and gentlemen, the implementation of the AARTO has a mammoth task of seeking to change the behaviour of motorists for the better. The critical over-arching goal is road safety. By implementing the AARTO, we will be able to change people's behaviour from wanton disregard for road traffic laws, effecting zero-tolerant policies to traffic violations and inculcate a new habit of voluntary compliance to road traffic laws. When this is achieved, all road users in the country will be able to fully enjoy the use and benefits of our roads infrastructure.

I thank you!