What is RTMS?

Despite concerted and ongoing efforts for an effective law enforcement strategy by the road and traffic authorities, the sharp increase in heavy vehicle traffic and the effects of overloading continue to be a major problem on South African roads. Overloading causes premature road deterioration and, together with inadequate vehicle maintenance, high levels of driver fatigue, and poor driver health care programs, contributes significantly to South Africa’s poor road safety record. The Road Transport Management System is a self-regulation initiative that has already shown outstanding results since its implementation and supports the Department of Transport’s National Overload Control Strategy (NOCS).
 
RTMS is an industry–led, government-supported, voluntary, self-regulation scheme that encourages consignees, consignors & road transport operators to implement a management system that demonstrates compliance with Road Traffic Regulations and contributes to preserving road infrastructure, improving road safety & increasing productivity.

In order to become RTMS accredited a company must demonstrate that it has adequately implemented all the requirements of the RTMS national standard (SANS 1395-1:2019). RTMS compliance requires that a company demonstrate that it manages its transport operations with due consideration to road safety and compliance.

The transporter is required to maintain the required systems to show that each vehicle poses a minimal risk to the road infrastructure, the environment and other road users.

Whilst it is important to implement the required processes, it equally important to ensure that such processes are consistently implemented.

The SANS 1395-1:2019 standard (available from sabs.co.za) stipulates the detailed RTMS requirements.