Speaking at the 4th Annual Road Safety Conference in Midrand, Johan Vorster, CEO of Tasima, the official eNaTIS contractor, outlined new system applications that will be implemented in the short and medium term. These include facilitation of the Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) programme and assistance provided to traffic officials by means of Project eForce.

‘While the eNaTIS is, at its core, an online transaction processing system utilised for vehicle transaction and licensing systems countrywide, it offers a great deal more in terms of functionality. Future needs were taken into account when we designed the system, and enhancements are continuously being added to meet new demands,’ says Vorster. ‘The centralised architecture of the system facilitates integrated road traffic management, something which was not possible in the NaTIS, its predecessor.’

Future enhancements include the ability to issue infringement notices at the roadside and also to record particulars directly at the scene of an accident.

When implemented in the first quarter of 2008 the AARTO programme will make use of a central contraventions register on the eNaTIS to provide for the swift adjudication of offences, an aspect which has been lacking in South African road traffic management. The points demerit system which is a central part of AARTO will undoubtedly make for a much safer traffic environment. The latter system has both a stick and a carrot component – serial contraveners will, through the accumulation of demerit points, eventually lose their driving licences for varying periods of times. Prompt payment of fines, on the other hand, will provide the reward of a reduction in demerit points and fine discounts.

‘Implementation of the AARTO programme will bring many benefits,’ says Vorster. ‘Infringements will be recorded on a central contraventions register and will be visible online, in real time to traffic authorities all over the country. I have no doubt that this will dramatically improve law enforcement. In addition, cancelled or suspended driving licences will be recorded immediately and the information made available to traffic officials, thus allowing them to act accordingly. The system will also provide court dates for those guilty of infringements. Law-abiding drivers will benefit through the real-time recording of fine payments, which will ensure that they are not incorrectly arrested for non-payment due to non-availability of the relevant information.’

In the not-too-distant future Project eForce will allow traffic law enforcement agencies to interface with the eNaTIS by means of handheld devices, thus providing officials in the field with real-time access to crucial information. ‘Once implemented, Project eForce will make it possible for traffic officials to scan driving licences and check their validity by means of hand-held devices,’ explains Vorster. ‘They will also be able to query the roadworthy status of vehicles and check for demerit points against drivers. Future enhancements include the ability to issue infringement notices at the roadside and also to record particulars directly at the scene of an accident.’ 

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