Breaking road traffic laws is a serious offense but many motorists take speeding fines, parking tickets and other traffic infringement notices with a pinch of salt, often leaving these fines unpaid for months or even years on end, either by ignorance to the law or out of not having the slightest concern for potential consequences.

Following the rules of the road is not at all a difficult thing to do and not doing so, can result in some serious repercussions for drivers. A 2018 article released by Business Tech spoke to JPSA about traffic offences that could get drivers arrested on the spot. According to the article, the following are serious offences which could see you in a local jailcell on the same day:

  • Exceeding the speed limit by more than 30km/h in an urban area or more than 40km/h outside of an urban area or on a freeway;
  • Leaving the scene of a crash in which you are involved without first stopping to check if injuries/damages to property or vehicles has occurred;
  • Reckless or negligent driving;
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or a drug having a narcotic effect;
  • Excessive overloading;
  • Fraudulent licence/licence disc, or any other document or number plates – as well as number plates which are completely absent.

Unlike other traffic offences, these do not carry a fine and require the driver to be charged, processed and appear in court for the punishment to be decided by the local magistrate. 

In addition the above offences that are seen as criminal offences, the new demerit system that is being implemented, sees road users having much more severe consequences for smaller traffic offences because, with the new system, drivers will be given 12 points and once the 12 points have been deducted through various offences, road users will have their license suspsended for 3-motnhs for every point taken off over and above the 12-point limit.

Each offense will deduct a specific number of points ranging from 1 to 6 points at a time depending on the severity of the offense. This does not change the fact that, in addition to losing points, the driver will also be required to pay the applicable fine. This is a “double-whammy” for road users.