Speed governor law kicks in for heavy vehicles, public transport

Wide-ranging amendments to the road traffic legislation mean that numerous public transport and goods vehicles registered after December 1, 2016 will require speed governors.

The Automobile Association (AA) said this date was set for implementation of a regulation published in 2014.

“On October 31, 2014, a considerable number of new regulations were gazetted, including an amendment to Regulation 215 of the National Road Traffic Act. As is often the case with complex regulations which require changes in manufacturing procedure, the implementation date was targeted for some years into the future,” the AA said.

Governors will be required for any minibus, midibus, bus or goods vehicle with a mass over 3 500kg. The vehicles are re- quired to be governed to the speed limits applicable to each category. In the case of minibuses, midibuses and buses, the governed speed will be 100km/h.

Goods vehicles over 3 500kg, but below 9 000kg will be governed to 100km/h in terms of a recent amendment to regulation 293 which came into force on November 11. Such vehicles were previously permitted to travel at up to the maximum general speed limit of 120km/h. Goods vehicles over 9 000kg will be governed to their maximum permissible speed of 80km/h.

The AA welcomed the changes to the law for these categories of vehicles.

“Buses and minibus taxis are frequently observed driving well in excess of posted legal limits, often in situations where their speed considerably exceeds that of the general traffic speed,” the AA added.

“The risk of such large speed differentials is well documented, and the introduction of governors will combat this problem over the next several years as end-oflife buses and minibus taxis are phased out and replaced with newer, governed models.”

The AA had similar comments regarding vehicles over 9 000kg, which often exceed their maximum allowable speed. “Apart from giving rise to safety and longevity issues in heavy vehicles, excessive speed creates additional noise which affects communities living nearby busy roads.

“It needlessly increases fuel consumption and pollution. These vehicles are not designed to be operated at the general speed limit of 120km/h which is applicable to light motor vehicles, which is why they were restricted to 80km/h more than two decades ago,” it added.

The inclusion of governors on heavy vehicles would free up traffic authorities from policing speed transgressions by goods and public transport vehicles so they can direct enforcement resources towards moving violations, licensing infringements and driver impairment, the AA said.