Two amendments and insertions to the National Road Traffic Regulations by the National Department of Transport have caused confusion for members of the public.
Regulation 250 will come into effect on 11 May and Regulation 293 already came into effect on 11 November last year.
On 11 November last year, the department promulgated amendments to the National Road Traffic Regulations in Government Gazette 40420 wherein Regulations 250 and 293 were amended. Since then, no other amendments to the National Road Traffic Regulations have been promulgated.
The amendment of Regulation 250 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, which previously prescribed that no person could be carried in the goods compartment of a vehicle for a reward, changed to state that no schoolchildren may be carried in the goods compartment of a vehicle for reward.
Regulation 250 now states, “No person shall convey any other person in the goods compartment of a motor vehicle for reward. Provided that the provisions of this sub-regulation shall not apply in respect of a vehicle which complies with the provisions of the National Land Transportation Act.”
Justice Project South Africa explained, “This insertion has actually ‘legalised’ the transportation of any and all other persons in the goods compartment of a motor vehicle for reward, provided that the transport operator applies to and pays the Department of Transport for a permit to do so.”
This does not exclude schoolchildren nor does it explain the maximum number of persons allowed in the vehicle.
The 293 Regulation amendment introduced a vehicle class speed limit of 100km per hour for goods vehicles with a GVM/GCM of more than 3 500kg but less than 9 000kg; this came into immediate effect on 11 November last year.
These draft amendments will apparently again be published for public comment before they are promulgated:
- Drivers will have to undergo a practical re-evaluation when renewing a licence.
- A complete review and revamp of the current K53 test.
- Speed limits to be reduced from 60km per hour to 40km per hour in urban areas; from 100km to 80km per hour in rural areas; and from 120 to 100km per hour on freeways running through a residential area.
- Goods vehicles above 9 000kg GVM to be banned from public roads during peak travelling times.
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