While the motorist was let off with a ticket and a warning, he noted that he wasn’t aware that this was even a possibility and that there still appears to be some confusion about the types of traffic fines that you can be arrested for ‘on the spot’.
Speaking to BusinessTech, the JPSA’s Howard Dembovsky said that South Africans, in general, should realise the seriousness of breaking traffic laws.
“I think it is high time that people came to realise that breaking road traffic laws is a serious affair and this nonsense of believing that they may do so, as long as they pay a fine for the privilege, should be abandoned,” he said.
“Following the rules of the road and obeying road traffic laws is not at all difficult to do and not doing so can lead to serious consequences – not only for you – but for innocent people who fall victim and either have their bodies and property damaged, or get killed as a result of your behaviour.”
Below Dembovsky broke down exactly which offences can see you arrested on the spot:
- 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.
He added that, unlike other traffic offences, there is no way to contest these fines without being arrested, and that these are serious criminal offences.
“You get arrested, charged, processed and must appear in court,” he said.
