Speed limits in South Africa

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Speed limits in South Africa are set the same in each province of South Africa. Highway speed limits can range from an urban low of 60 km/h to a rural high of 120 km/h. Speed limits are typically posted in increments of 20 km/h. There are also limits for trucks and occasionally minimum speed limits. The general speed limits are regulated in terms of the National Road Traffic Act, 1989.[1][2][3]

Commonly used road speed limit signs in South Africa

Speed limits

General terms

  • 60 km/h on a public road within an urban area
  • 100 km/h on public road outside an urban area which is not a freeway; and
  • 120 km/h on most freeways.

National routes

National routes in South Africa numbered from N1 to N18 have a fixed speed limit of 120 km/h, with sections which are in urban areas limited to 100 km/h.

Special regulation

On a section of the N14 between Pofadder and Kakamas, authorised vehicles for speed testing are subject to 250 km/h speed limit on a 160-km-long section of road.[4][5]

Provincial and regional routes

Regional and provincial routes in South Africa numbered from R100 to R799 have a speed limit ranging from 60 km/h to 100 km/h, with some parts limited to 120 km/h.

Metropolitan routes

Metropolitan routes in South Africa numbered "Mxy" have a speed limit ranging from 60 km/h to 100 km/h, with some parts at 120 km/h

Proposed reduction

It has been proposed that the national speed limit throughout South Africa should be reduced. This would be implemented with South Africa's new road demerit system.[6][7]

The Department of Transport proposed that the baseline top speeds across the country's roads should be reduced by 20 km/h.[8] This would effectively drop the speed limit on the country's highways from 120 km/h to 100 km/h, while the top speeds on main roads would drop from 100 km/h to 80 km/h.[9] Speeds in residential areas would decrease from 60 km/h to 40 km/h.[10][11][12]

See also

References

  1. ^ "SPEED LIMITS IN SA" (PDF). Road Traffic Management Corporation. March 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Road Safety Facts". Western Cape Government. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  3. ^ Raymond, Charlen (10 October 2016). "Speed signs in SA: Here's all you need to know". Wheels. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Half-way-to-Pofadder (Kakamas)".
  5. ^ "Government Approved Highspeed Testing Vehicles".
  6. ^ "Finally! New SA road rules: 20km/h speed-limit reduction?". Wheels. 1 December 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Call to lower SA speed limits". www.iol.co.za. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  8. ^ "'Urban speed limit must be lowered from 60 km/h to 30 km/h'". CapeTalk. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  9. ^ "South Africa may have new speed limits soon". Jacaranda FM. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  10. ^ Staff Writer. "South Africa is looking to introduce new speed limits". Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  11. ^ "SA government considers reducing speed limits". www.capetownetc.com. 11 November 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  12. ^ "Speed Limits And The Law". Arrive Alive. 13 November 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2021.