It’s been well over two years since the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) announced that it had initiated the process of reducing speed limits in the country by 10km/h in most regions, and the changes have not yet come into effect.
In a parliamentary presentation in February 2022, the RTMC said a programme was underway to determine the feasibility of slashing speed limits in high-risk areas based on recommendations from the United Nations (UN) Road Council.
In its own words, the RTMC said: “We’re looking at reducing the speed in school zones and areas where there’s a high concentration of vulnerable road users. This is part of the second decade of action to deal with road safety, so there is a programme underway to look at that.”
The headline speed limit changes included:
- Urban roads – From 60km/h to 50km/h
- Major roads – From 120km/h to 110km/h
The RTMC has remained quiet about this initiative in the two-and-a-half years since it was first announced, with seemingly no cities or towns being used as guinea pigs to trial the lower speed limits.
TopAuto therefore got in touch with the RTMC to enquire how far it has progressed in the process of reducing the nation’s speed limits and whether these adjustments achieved their intended outcomes.
RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane confirmed that the RTMC has not yet implemented any of these proposed changes, but that the process is still ongoing behind the scenes.
“The changes have not been implemented. It is a long process [for] new regulations to be drafted [and] presented to Parliament before they are promulgated and ready for implementation,” said Zwane without further elaboration.
A long process indeed. The National Department of Transport and RTMC first announced all the way back in 2019 that they were actively reviewing legislation governing the nation’s speed restrictions with the goal of improving safety on the roads.
More critical industry stakeholders believe that this initiative will never be truly put into practice due to the lucrative nature of traffic fines for speeding infringements in South Africa.
“The only reason speed continues to suck oxygen from the road safety debate is because it’s misunderstood by most people, but easy to measure and amazingly profitable,” said Rob Handfield-Jones, road safety expert and managing director of advanced driver training company Driving.co.za.
“Some municipalities derive over 50% of their revenue from traffic fines, almost all of which are for speeding.”
RTMC Focus Areas for improving road safety, detailed in February 2022 report to parliament.
Other interventions gain ground
Apart from lower speed limits, the RTMC in its February 2022 presentation to parliament said that it will focus on reducing instances of drunk driving, improving pedestrian safety, and enforcing seatbelt and restraint compliance, all based on recommendations on international best practices by the UN.
It has thus far made headways in at least one of these areas.
This May, the UN launched its Global Campaign for Road Safety in South Africa in partnership with advertising giant JC Decaux to bring heightened awareness of unsafe driving manners.
The so-called #MakeASafetyStatement campaign involves celebrities and notable public figures displayed on public billboards with an accompanying slogan that aims to reinforce safe driving habits in the minds of road users.
Ten South African celebrities are involved in the initiative including Yvonne Chaka-Chaka, Bryoni Govender, Dr. Khumalo, Sello Maake Ka Ncube, Maduvha Madima, Leanne Manas, Dr. Moratwe Masima, Thokozani Ndaba, Gaisang Noge, and Caster Semenya.
The main goal of the #MakeASafetyStatement campaign is to raise awareness of life-saving actions among young generations, who as statistics show, are the major victims of road crashes.
This issue is especially prevalent in South Africa where more than 60% of the population is under 35 years old and road fatalities are reported at 25 deaths per 100,000 people, well above the 19/100,000 people average for the rest of Africa, and significantly higher than the 7/100,000 people in Europe.
Examples of billboards that will be displayed in South Africa as part of the #MakeASafetyStatement campaign
As indicated in its presentation, the RTMC also partnered with Aware.org in December 2023 and January 2024 to rally against drunk driving.
The tongue-in-cheek campaign told citizens that if they chose to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the festive season, they’d be able to “stay for free” in one of the country’s police holding cells.
“The campaign’s road safety warnings are inspired by typical travel ads,” said Carmen Mohapi, Managing Director of Aware.org.
“We hope that the contrast between the blunt key message – drunk drivers stay for free – and a relaxed tone of visuals and supporting messages will help South Africans pause, think, remember our advice, and ultimately act responsibly after having drinks.”
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