Residents speak out over proposed traffic regulations
We asked our readers to gives us their thoughts on the proposed regulations and the response was overwhelming
POLOKWANE – The recent proposed road regulations to be implemented in May have caused an uproar among the community.
As first reported in BusinessTech, South African motorists can expect the regulations to come into effect from 1 May 2017 and they will include:
- Drivers will have to undergo a practical re-evaluation when renewing a license.
- A complete review and revamp of the current K53 test.
- Speed limits to be reduced from 60km/h to 40km/h in urban areas, from 100 to 80km/h in rural areas and from 120 to 100km/h on freeways running through a residential area
- Goods vehicles above 9,000kg GVM to be banned from public roads during peak traveling times.
We asked our readers to send us their thoughts and the response was overwhelming. Most residents are angry over the fact that the speed limits will be reduced and having to undergo a practical re-evaluation when renewing their licenses.
Here are several residents’ thoughts on the proposed regulations:
“I strongly disagree with this as the biggest problem we have on the roads are people who drive in yellow lines, jump red traffic lights and over load taxis that aren’t roadworthy. Therefore, I don’t agree to the proposal. I think they should reapply their minds and go back and think this through properly. I see this as a money making scheme!” – Herman Schoeman
‘There is much to consider before just changing everything. To me, it should benefit all not just some” – Jacques Boraine
“While vehicles are not roadworthy and drivers do not have legitimate driver’s licences, chatting on cellphones the problems will persist.” – Sarah Maria Venter
“I think the rule about going for a practical re-evaluation is unfair. More people are going to drive without a license. I think a public vote is needed for this. There are going to be bigger disasters on our roads. I don’t want to do a practical exam every time I renew my license. It is such a mission to get a license already.” – Charisse Coleman
“It just doesn’t make any sense to re-evaluate licenses when renewing. The only reason I can think of as to why they would want to do the re-evaluation, is due to the many bribed licenses out there, but that is not my problem. Why must I go and be re-evaluated cause others chose to not do it the correct way. Very unfair.” – Jeannette Finnie
“For as long as we have corruption and corrupt officials or Law Enforcers at Licensing Departments and on the roads, we will never escape the road carnage. We need harsher penalties that will serve as a deterrent to all motorists and our so called ‘law enforcers’.” Thabiso Senkhe.
However, while majority of the responses disagreed with the proposed regulations, others agreed.
“I fully agree and comply to the new laws. I am a co-owner in a transport firm, where we concentrate on bus services. To us, it is a big plus. I have only one problem with the re-evaluation: is this another money making scheme or will the law actually be enforced? If the re-evaluation is for free, I will gladly comply every time we renew pdps of drivers as it will be beneficial to us with our insurances as well.” – Pierre Taljaard.
“It has both a good and bad side to it. It is a good idea to reduce the speed limit but then more traffic officers should be on the roads every day until it becomes a norm. This will add in enforcing these traffic laws.” – Leballo Makena.
These are just some of the responses we received from the public and we’d like to thank you for your input.
Department of Transport spokesperson, Joshua Kwapa says that since the new regulations are only proposed, president Jacob Zuma still needs to either sign off on it or decline it.
“The regulations are not signed into law yet and therefore nothing is final. as soon as the president signs it into law, we will be able to look at the finer details,” he said.
