AA AGAINST NEW SPEED LIMIT DECREASE

The Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) has made it clear that it doesn’t give its support for the 10km/h reduction in South Africa’s speed limits.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) proposed the reduction in February 2022.

The reduction suggested would be applicable to all speed limits in the country, so even the 60km/h speed limit in suburban areas would be decreased to 50km/h, and the speed limit on highways would be decreased from 120 km/h to 110 km/h.

The RTMC is of the opinion that there are other more important factors that should be addressed first, as they believe these factors would contribute to road safety more than reducing the speed limit.

The AA wants the RTMC to focus on these factors:

·        Fixing the poor road conditions of many of the country’s roads permanently.

·        Cracking down on reckless driving and driving under the influence.

·        Educating drivers, especially highlighting the dangers of excessive speeding.

·        Applying targeted speed management measures based on empirical data.

While announcing the road fatality statistics for the 2024/25 festive season earlier this year, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy mentioned that a high percentage of motorists driving and involved in incidents on the road were intoxicated.

“I think part of what has surprised us is that these drivers have been extremely under the influence of alcohol both day and night,” she said.

Image credit: AutoTrader