Why Ignoring Fines Could Cost You More This Long Weekend

March 2026: As millions of South Africans prepare to travel for the Easter long weekend, motorists are being urged to check their outstanding traffic fines before hitting the road.

Easter is traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the year, with increased traffic volumes on national highways and significantly higher police visibility through roadblocks, patrols and enforcement operations.

Barry Berman, CEO of Fines SA, says many motorists unknowingly travel with outstanding fines that can complicate their journey or result in higher costs if left unresolved.

“Enforcement increases significantly over Easter, with more frequent roadblocks and routine checks on licences, vehicle compliance and outstanding fines. Many motorists only realise they have unresolved fines when they are stopped,” he says. “Taking a few minutes to check your status beforehand can prevent unnecessary stress and additional penalties.”

He adds that unresolved fines can, in some cases, escalate to enforcement orders or warrants, carrying more serious consequences if flagged during a roadblock. This often happens where fines were missed, not received, or ignored due to concerns about scams. Using a verified platform such as Fines SA allows motorists to quickly check their status across multiple authorities and resolve any issues before travelling.

These authorities traditionally ramp up enforcement during long weekends to reduce accidents and encourage responsible driving behaviour.

Common checks at roadblocks include:

• Driver’s licence validity

• Vehicle roadworthiness

• Licence disc compliance

• Outstanding traffic fines

• Speeding and distracted driving offences

With the continued rollout of automated enforcement technologies in South Africa, traffic authorities are also expanding the use of AI-powered camera systems capable of detecting offences such as mobile phone usage while driving and failure to wear seatbelts.

These systems are designed to improve road safety and increase compliance, but they also mean motorists are more likely to receive fines for behaviour that may previously have gone undetected.

According to Berman, long weekends often see a spike in certain violations, particularly as motorists travel long distances under time pressure. “The most common offences during holiday travel tend to include speeding, distracted driving, expired vehicle licences and failure to wear seatbelts,” he says.

“Many of these are easily avoidable, but when fines are ignored or forgotten, they can accumulate and create unnecessary financial and legal risk.”

Motorists should also be aware that South Africa is preparing for the broader implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system, which introduces a demerit point framework for traffic violations.

Under AARTO, drivers who repeatedly commit offences may accumulate demerit points that can ultimately lead to licence suspension.

“While AARTO is being introduced in phases, the direction of travel is clear: compliance will matter more than ever. Motorists who take a proactive approach, clearing outstanding fines, making use of early payment discounts and keeping their records clean, will be far better prepared for the realities of a demerit-based system.”

One of the most common issues motorists face is simply not knowing that they have outstanding fines. Traffic fines are issued by different municipalities and agencies, which means many drivers only discover them months later.

Platforms such as Fines SA allow motorists to quickly check their fine status across multiple authorities, access available early-payment discounts of up to 50% and resolve outstanding fines digitally.

Berman explains: “South Africans are increasingly turning to digital tools to manage traffic fines because the process can otherwise be fragmented and time-consuming. Checking your fines before travelling allows you to identify any issues early, resolve them quickly and access discounts that may reduce the overall cost.”

Berman recommends motorists take a few simple steps before travelling:

• Check for any outstanding traffic fines

• Ensure your driver’s licence and vehicle licence disc are valid

• Confirm your vehicle is roadworthy

• Plan for longer travel times to avoid speeding

• Avoid using mobile phones while driving

“Most traffic fines are avoidable and easily managed when drivers stay informed,” he says.

“The goal is not just avoiding penalties, but rather to contribute to safer roads during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.”