New Traffic Law – From 2025, South African motorists are facing a much tougher stance on distracted driving—especially the habit of glancing at a phone while waiting at a red light. Social posts have popularised a “R5,000 fine” figure, and while the exact rand amount still varies by city and enforcement schedule, the message is clear: if an officer sees a driver holding or operating a handheld device while the vehicle is in traffic (including at a stop street or red light), a charge can follow. Under South Africa’s National Road Traffic regulations, “driving” doesn’t only mean moving—if you’re in control of a car on a public road, you are considered to be driving. That means picking up a phone at a red light is treated the same as using it while moving. With AARTO’s broader rollout adding demerit points and standardised processes in 2025, the pain can compound: an on-the-spot fine today can also affect your licence status tomorrow.
What the law actually says (hands-free vs handheld)
The key rule is simple: no handheld device use while driving—full stop. Regulation 308A prohibits holding a cellphone or other communication device in one or both hands, or with any part of the body, while driving on a public road. Limited exceptions exist only when the device is properly mounted/affixed in the vehicle or used via approved “headgear” so you never hold it. Practically, that’s a legal phone mount + Bluetooth or wired mic/earpiece, and you still must drive with due care. Importantly, the handheld ban applies even when you’re stationary at a traffic light; being stopped in traffic does not exempt you. In 2025, AARTO’s rollout means infringements like phone use will increasingly move through a national administrative system, with potential demerit points alongside fines—so one moment of distraction can echo into licence consequences. Bottom line: treat intersections and stop-and-go traffic as strict no-phone zones unless your setup is genuinely hands-free.
How much could you pay in 2025?
There isn’t one single nationwide number for phone-use fines—amounts are set through schedules used by metros and provinces, and they do get updated. Historically, many areas issued around R500–R1,000 for handheld use, while some Western Cape enforcement drives previously paired heavy fines with phone confiscation, creating that headline-grabbing “R5,000” figure in the public memory. In 2025, you’ll see tougher messaging and, in some places, higher tariffs, plus the added sting of demerit points under AARTO as it expands nationally. Also beware of viral graphics that claim a fixed national “new fine” on a specific date; these often misread draft schedules or mix city-specific rules with national law. The safest working assumption is that using a phone at a light can cost you a meaningful fine today and increase your future risk profile. If you want precision, check your local municipality’s latest fine schedule—and don’t rely on screenshots circulating on social media.
Practical do’s and don’ts at traffic lights
Do mount your phone properly before you set off, enable Bluetooth/CarPlay/Android Auto, and pre-set navigation or playlists so you’re not tempted to touch the screen mid-queue. Do activate Do Not Disturb While Driving or focus modes that silence notifications. Do treat every intersection as a “no-touch zone”: even a quick “I’m here” message can be enough to get you pulled over. Don’t hold or cradle the phone under your chin, on your lap, or in your hand—even briefly. Don’t scroll, swipe, or type while waiting at a red light; the law focuses on whether you are holding/operating the device, not on whether the wheels are moving. Don’t rely on myths like “it’s fine if I’m stopped” or “it’s only illegal if I’m talking.” And if safety genuinely requires using your phone—for example, an emergency call—pull off the road and park safely, out of traffic, before touching the device.
If you are fined—what to do next
Stay calm and cooperative. Ask which regulation you’re alleged to have contravened and whether supporting images are available; many systems capture time, location, and device-in-hand evidence. Check the notice carefully for the payment window—early settlement can sometimes reduce the amount. If you believe the device was properly mounted and you weren’t “holding” or “operating” it, keep any proof (dashcam footage, passenger statements, app logs) and follow the representation/appeal channel on the infringement notice. Under AARTO, also monitor your demerit balance so repeat behaviour doesn’t snowball toward a licence suspension. Never hand cash to anyone roadside—use official payment portals listed on the fine. Finally, take it as a cue to upgrade your setup: a sturdy mount, steering-wheel controls, and voice commands remove the temptation that leads to the ticket in the first place.