The City of Johannesburg will give motorists a 50 percent discount on their traffic fines, Johannesburg Metro police spokesman Wayne Minnaar said on Thursday.

The discount is effective as from 1 November, 2008 to 31 January, 2009.

"The discount applies to all traffic fines received before Friday in the Johannesburg jurisdiction," said Minnaar.

"This is to encourage motorists to comply with the rules of the road so that there will be an even bigger reduction in accidents in this coming festive season."

The option to defend a traffic fine in court will still be open throughout this grace period.

However, Minnaar said those motorists who had been issued with warrants of arrest still had to pay their contempt of court fines, but the traffic fine would still be reduced by half.

Sapa