The AA has thrown cold water on the frantic emails that have been bouncing around cyberspace like the silver ball in a pinball machine and pointed out that the new "demerit system" of traffic fines is only expected to be implemented in November 2010.
The government has announced that the administrative adjudication road traffic offences system, to give it its official title, is in place but this is not the case, says the AA's Gary Ronald.
The system is being tested in Gauteng - but points are not being deducted from errant drivers as they haven't yet been allocated.
He said: "The demerit system has been implemented in many countries as an excellent deterrent to errant driving."
However, drivers needed to be keenly aware, he said, of the danger in not having an independent body to deal with infringements. This could lead to a level of coercion, urging offenders to pay a fine on the spot rather than contest it in court.
AARTO will be managed by the Road Traffic Management Corporation and the corporation's infringement agency will deal with all fines and demerit points.
It has not yet been decided now many points each driver will start off with but 12 are likely on a three-year cycle. Offenders will regain lost points at a rate of one a month - provided no further offence is recorded.
According to the recent spam emails there is no grace for speeding. However, there is still a technical requirement in terms of the prosecuting guidelines to give drivers a 10 percent errror as there needs to be leeway for certain cars that may not have accurate speedometers.
Drivers need to be aware that the new fines structure is stringent, especially for speeding. Serious offences such as driving under the influence of alcohol will see offenders go directly to jail before a court hearing.
There will be compulsory penalties for serious offences such as driving under the influence which will result in suspension or loss of a driving licence.