New road rules for South Africa

THE Department of Transport has released its roll-out plans for new road rules and regulations.

The first regulations will come into play on May 1, this year, and will prohibit bakkie drivers from transporting children on the back of the vehicle and carrying more than five occupants in the vehicle’s loading area.

Heavy goods vehicles will now also be limited to certain speeds, depending on their weight, as well as having to display the ‘100 limit’ sticker.

Other regulations, planned for next year, include a new K53 driver’s licence test and practical re-evaluations when renewing a licence.

Perhaps most controversial may be the proposed 20km slower speed limits across the board, 100kph will be implemented where currently 120kph and 40kph in now 60kph zones, etc.

Arguments will surely come that this will cause more problems with frustration and road rage. And, arguments are likely to also arise from examples like the autobahn, in Germany, where there is a general speed limit of 130kph (although accepted to be much faster in practice), yet accidents are very rare.

Another question may be why there is no focus placed on policing and eradicating the scourge of corruption, which is likely the biggest problem facing the Department of Transport.

There are even plans to offer driving lessons at schools in the near future, similar to what is done in the United States of America.

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