Christelle Fourie, Managing Director of MUA Insurance Acceptances
The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (AARTO) expected to be implemented on the 1st April 2012, could play a big role in reducing the number of fatal motor vehicle accidents, by hitting motorists where it sometimes hurts the most –
That is the view of Christelle Fourie, Managing Director of MUA Insurance Acceptances, who says that besides the fines that transgressors will receive, under AARTO, they may also be faced with higher motor insurance premiums.
“AARTO will work on a points demerit system that will penalize drivers by putting points on their license for every traffic offence they commit, which may lead to the suspension or cancellation of drivers or vehicle licenses for multiple repeat offences,” says Fourie.
Fourie advises that should a motorist’s driver’s license be suspended, it could impact their motor insurance either in the form increased insurance premiums; enforced additional excesses; or the policy being cancelled. “These motorists may also struggle to find an insurance provider following the suspension of their driver’s license, as insurers may deem the driver too high a risk and could refuse to insure the driver.”
She says motorists should also bear in mind that if they are involved in a motor vehicle accident while illegally driving with a suspended license, they will be unable to claim for loss or damage from their insurance provider as insurance companies follow the law of the land.”
The Registrar of the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA), Mr Japh Chuwe, recently stated that no driver’s or vehicle licences will be renewed if outstanding infringements have not been paid, which could have a highly negative effect on drivers who rely on their own transportation for business needs.
Fourie says that while it may take South Africans time to get used to these changes, they are ultimately a positive step in combating what is a very serious problem as motorists will become fearful of having their license suspended.
“Even though the number of deaths recorded over the festive season period from 1 December 2011 to 5 January 2012 decreased by 13% compared with the previous year, the fact is approximately 40 people die in South Africa everyday due to motor vehicle accidents.
“We have a very cavalier attitude in South Africa to road safety so we hope that new legislation such as this will finally help to bring home the message that we need to take more care on our roads,” concludes Fourie.
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