Number plate changes in pipeline
JOHANNESBURG – The Department of Transport discuss amendments to vehicle's number plates.
As part of the regulating and commissioning of South African vehicle number plates currently underway, the Department of Transport has also embarked on a process of standardising and improving the security features of number plates.
Thabane Nhlengethwa of the department said nothing is confirmed as yet, as things are still in the consultation phase.
Nhlengethwa explained that in January last year, the department published regulation amendments, which are intended to affect changes to vehicle number plates, in the government gazette draft.
“Through the notice, the South African public was invited to make objections, inputs and comments as part of the public consultation process.”
He added that the department, through the Minister and Members of the Executive Council (MinMec), is considering input informed by the public in the consultation process as well as research and expert submissions to the department.
At the end of the departmental consultation process, the matter will be presented to the Cabinet.
A statement released by the department said that the operability of the current South African number plate is prone to abuse by unregistered number plate manufacturers and, equally, the system in its current form is also being taken advantage of by criminals who clone number plates.
“As part of the new improvements to our number plates, the regulations will ensure that manufacturers are regulated to ensure that we can account for every motor vehicle number plate that is issued through coding,” read the statement.
On the issue of standardisation, Nhlengethwa said MinMec is currently considering various options including the placement of the national flag as well as the Provincial Coat of Arms on the number plate to improve road safety.
“The security features of the number plates are also part of the broad road safety strategy, which will ensure that we have the right vehicles on our roads.” He added that the lack of which has, to a large extent, contributed to the road fatalities and carnage on the roads.
