Lately we have been getting a number of reports with changes happening to banking, employment laws and now targeting the drivers on South Africa's perilously dangerous roads. These changes go into effect on the 1st July 2025 so we shall see how this will be policed.
Every year the road fatalities are high which are often misleading as they normally involve mini taxes or busses leading to a high fatality rate per accident. In the past we would gear of 40 fatalities and it only involved two mini taxis.
I do agree with the changes that are being imposed which are applying a penalty point system like they have in the UK. 12 points is the yearly limit which if exceeded results in license suspensions and if repeated 3 times you have to do a retest of your license.
Stay informed: Keep track of SANRAL’s official announcements and make sure your vehicle complies with all safety requirements, including carrying the new mandatory safety equipment like reflective vests and emergency triangles.
This I can see being an excuse to fine motorists during road blocks conducted by the traffic police as they need the revenue. I must make sure we have these items in all of our vehicles including work vehicles.
I do have some serious concerns around the point system in a heavily corrupt South Africa. The corrupt traffic police now have even more leverage to make extra money as this is no longer just a fine, but the threat of points. If a fine was R2000 they could leverage a quick R500, but with points involved they will push for bribes of R1000 or more. This is the reality and you would have to be ignorant and naive to think this will not happen.
The road traffic fines we receive are not taken seriously and we all know if we ignore them for long enough they somehow disappear. I think the time period for them to disappear entirely is 5 years and the traffic department is not exactly on point so the chances are you will get away with this.
I have not paid fines in many years and this week when I renewed my sons license disc he had to pay an outstanding fine. We have no clue what it is for, but going forward if it is for a minor speeding offence he will receive points.
The government is out to find revenue wherever they can and this is an obvious revenue source that has not been tapped and managed correctly. This was highlighted with the revenue generated at the OR tambo Airport in Johannesburg over a 5 year period netting the government R5 million in fine money.
The speed limits are going to be reduced by as much as 10 and 20Km'h or certain roads and will only result in more fines. I do think this is not about the fatalities and road safety, but more about the revenue the government can make.
In SA when driving you have to be thinking worse case scenario and thinking what the other drivers are going to do and why it is a stressful experience on a daily basis. I am not exaggerating when I say I avoid at least 2 accidents on a daily basis where I have had to take extreme measures. The driving standards are that poor and when you combine the poor road surfaces and non working infrastructure you have a recipe for disaster. I would estimate in Johannesburg roughly 50% of traffic lights do not work as the cables have been stolen or the traffic lights themselves have been cut down.
The driving standards is not something fines can fix and you can see who has done and who has not done their license properly. Most of the country has paid bribes to acquire their licenses and it clearly shows. I have done my license in the UK and SA plus I have an advanced institutes driving license and even I get stressed driving these roads each day. There are certain routes I refuse to drive and I am an experienced confident driver qualified to drive any vehicle on the road.
When you are in a country with no law and order you can see these new laws being used for extortion purposes and the only people who will benefit from this are the corrupt officials.
