Speedsters may lose their licences completely

Speedsters and motorists driving under the influence may face severe wrath from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC)

It recently became law in terms of Regulation 215(1A) that all minibuses, midibuses, buses and goods vehicles with a GVM of more than 3 500kg registered on or after 1 December 2016 must be fitted with a speed governor limiting them to a maximum speed of 100km/h.

#DUI, Reckless Driving and Hit & Run! Disgusting! IF prosecuted properly, this guy should be in for the high jump! https://t.co/a0U4AoncUY

— Justice Project SA (@JPSAorg) January 3, 2017

Justice Project South Africa (JPSA) asked, “If the maximum general speed limit applicable in South Africa is 120km/h, then why is it that all motor vehicles should not be speed-governed?”

Instead, it would appear that the corporation is calling upon judicial officers to violate the provisions of Section 35 of the National Road Traffic Act by stating that Magistrates should cancel, instead of suspend the drivers licences of persons convicted of high-speed offences.

track back home: please drive with speed not too high for circumstances #RoadSafety pic.twitter.com/7PsMYQFGpN

— Road Traffic Management Corporation (@TrafficRTMC) January 2, 2017

Section 35 of the National Road Traffic Act courts must, upon first conviction, suspend the driving licence of any person convicted of driving where “a speed in excess of 30 kilometres per hour over the prescribed general speed limit in an urban area was recorded or a speed in excess of 40 kilometres per hour over the prescribed general speed limit outside an urban area or on a freeway was recorded.”

The minimum prescribed suspension periods are six months upon first conviction, five years upon second conviction and ten years on third and subsequent convictions.

The same suspension periods exist for convictions for failing to stop at, or fleeing from the scene of a crash where another person is injured or killed, or serious damage to property including a vehicle or animal occurs, reckless or negligent driving and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Shock & Awe. Name & Shame. BUT most importantly LOOK, LEARN & CHANGE BEHAVIOUR. That’s the mission! pic.twitter.com/7ZWjDvacRm

— The Fatal Moves Team (@FatalMoves) January 4, 2017

It is also notable that the levels of arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol have spiked dramatically during the festive season.

“The answer however does not lie in accusing the courts of being ‘soft on road crimes’ as has repeatedly been suggested and threatened by the Minister of Transport and the RTMC,” added JPSA national chairperson, Howard Dembovsky.