The future of new speed limits in Pretoria hangs in the balance as the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) remains tight-lipped about its controversial proposal to reduce speed limits by 10km/h across South Africa. Although the proposal aligns with the United Nations’ recommendations and has garnered initial support, authorities have not taken concrete steps to formalise new speed limits changes.
A Controversial New Speed Limits Proposal
In February 2022, the RTMC presented its proposal to the Portfolio Committee on Transport, recommending a reduction of speed limits nationwide. The suggested changes include lowering the residential speed limit from 60km/h to 50km/h and reducing freeway speed limits from 120km/h to 110km/h. This initiative, according to RTMC’s chief communication officer Simon Zwane, aligns with UN goals to curb fatalities by lowering vehicle speeds.
Zwane emphasised that, as a member of the UN’s roads council, South Africa is expected to comply with these recommendations. However, he admitted that no formal regulatory process has been initiated to implement the changes. This has left the proposal’s future uncertain.
Proposed Speed Limit Changes
If implemented, the RTMC’s proposal would result in the following adjustments to speed limits across the country:
- Public roads within urban areas: 60km/h reduced to 50km/h
- Public roads outside urban areas (non-freeways): 100km/h reduced to 90km/h
- Freeways: 120km/h reduced to 110km/h
Differing Opinions from Experts
The proposal has sparked mixed reactions, with road safety experts divided on its potential impact. Rob Handfield-Jones, managing director of driving.co.za, expressed scepticism about the effectiveness of reduced speed limits. He argued that there is no clear evidence linking lower speed limits to a decrease in road fatalities, suggesting that enforcement strategies rather than speed reductions might yield better safety outcomes.
Lack of Updates from RTMC
The silence from the RTMC has only added to the uncertainty surrounding the proposal. MyBroadband recently sought an update from the corporation regarding its plans to implement the changes, but no response was provided. This lack of communication has left many wondering if the initiative will move forward or be shelved altogether.
Conclusion
While the proposed changes to speed limits aim to improve road safety and align South Africa with international standards, their implementation remains uncertain. Without formal action or further communication from the RTMC, Pretoria and the rest of the country are left waiting for clarity on whether these speed reductions will become a reality. For now, the debate over their effectiveness continues, with no definitive resolution in sight.
Related article: Volkswagen Golf R Driver Arrested for Speeding at 209km/h on N1 Freeway
