CRA Personal Safety & Motoring News – South Africa
Visit CRA’s blog page for more relevant articles.
Parliament’s portfolio committee on Transport has asked for public comments on the National Road Traffic Amendment Bill.
The closing date for submissions is 20 January 2021, with any of the proposed changes in the bill now only set to come into effect in 2021 if the bill is passed.
The bill aims to introduce dozens of new traffic and motoring-related changes including further regulations around driving schools, licences and traffic wardens.
The bill also introduces a total prohibition for the use and consumption of alcohol by all motor vehicle operators on South African public roads.
It does this by deleting reference to any alcohol content in the blood or breath specimen of motor vehicle drivers on the road in South Africa.
The National Road Traffic Act (NRA) currently enables those who have consumed alcohol to get behind the wheel provided they are under the blood alcohol limit.
These laws differentiate between normal drivers and drivers who hold professional driving permits.
Other changes which are proposed in the bill include:
Driving centres
The bill introduces a number of proposed changes for driving centres in South Africa. This includes:
- Providing for the suspension and cancellation of the registration of an examiner for driving licenses or an examiner of vehicles, if such person has been convicted of an offence or has a direct or indirect conflict of interest;
- The registration and grading of training centres;
- Require the relevant provincial Department or local authority responsible for transport to register a driving licence testing centre before operating as a driving licence testing centre;
- Prohibit the use of unauthorised aid during a test for a learner’s licence or a driving licence test and disqualification;
- Provide for the registration and grading of driving school instructors as well as driving schools.
Number plates
Transport director-general Alec Moemi has said that government is planning to introduce new motor vehicle licence plates under the bill.
Moemi said that the new regulations are particularly important when identifying cars during road accidents.
“We are looking at a new system that will include the embedding of microdots into a new number plate, that will then be regulated.
“Manufacturers, as well as those that print out and issue them to motor vehicle owners (will also be regulated) so that number plates that are forged will be easily identified.”
Microdots have seen increasing popularity as a safety feature on South African vehicles, and are classified as a particle with a diameter smaller than 1.8 mm which bears a unique, optically readable microdot identifier – typically the vehicle’s 17-digit VIN number or another registered PIN.
Moemi said that technology which is currently employed across the country’s highways, especially in Gauteng and Cape Town, as well as at the country’s borders, will be able to scan these micro-dots.
Similar technology can also be deployed to scan vehicles that travel under highway bridges.
In addition to the benefits around road safety and crime, Moemi said that the new system will also allow the government to better understand road usage across the country.
He said that country’s traffic impact is currently calculated by department employees at intersections or by using Gauteng’s e-toll gantries.
“In this regard, these micro-dots will also help us (measure) traffic patterns and hotspots.”
Read Also Related Article: South Africa’s New Number Plates Are A Waste Of Money – Expert
Licences
While not mentioned in the explanatory summary of the bill, the legislation does make reference to the introduction of a new ‘provisional’ driver’s licence in South Africa.
In a presentation to parliament in October, the department said that current regulations will be amended to include three types of driving licences in the country.
- A learner’s licence;
- A provisional driving licence;
- A driving licence.
South Africa’s licensing system is currently time-based, with an individual given two years to get their driver’s licence after receiving a learner’s licence.
Graduated driver licensing systems are designed to provide new drivers of motor vehicles with driving experience and skills gradually over time in low-risk environments.
There are typically three steps or stages through which new drivers pass. They begin by acquiring a learner’s permit, progress to a provisional licence, followed by receipt of a full driver’s licence.
Graduated drivers’ licensing generally restricts night, highway, and unsupervised driving during initial stages, but lifts these restrictions with time and further testing of the individual, eventually concluding with the individual attaining a full driver’s licence.
Click here to view the new proposed National Road Traffic Amendment Bill.
Read Also Related Article: Aarto Geared For Revenue Collection Rather Than Road Safety, Says AA
Article Credit to Business Tech.
What are your thoughts on the newly proposed National Road Traffic Amendment Bill? Do you think it will have any impact on road safety in South Africa? Let us know in the comments below. Also, if you found our content informative, do like it and share it with your friends.
FREE BONUS: Download our FREE In Case Of Emergency (ICE) Contact List and Accident Assist Checklist here.
Agree with the changes, I think they will definitely slow the carnage on our roads.
I agree if we gonna change our number plates for free. We are tired of changes every time now with our money. What I support is this issue of drink and drive.
We need fewer laws in SA nor more laws. Many of these changes are anti business and will cause thousands of businesses to fail and close down resulting in another widespread wave of unemployment…. eslecially reducing the alcohol drive limit to zero…. people will stay at home not go out to restaurants or pubs…. many of those businesses will now fail. Drivers with one or even 2 drinks are not a significantly increased risk to other road users… those who have 4 or more drinks are a risk and the existing laws address that risk so why do we need new laws…. think government… for once in your lives start to pass pro business laws and policies. Stop causing unemployment with your anti business decisions.
Dit beteken niks omkoop geld speel n groor rol in vekeers polisie
Dan sal minder omkoop geld gebuit word, en die wat dink paaie behoort aan hulle sal vinnig leer.
En oor nr plate gaan dit gratis vervang word, want publiek is moeg en vuisvoos vir alles wat verander word en hulle moet betaal daarvoor
First fix the roads in South Africa!!!!! The condition of the roads are in a pathetic state !!!! Start convicting corrupt polititions and these crookered tenders for road maintenance!!!!
Dave James are you a Idiot if not grow up zero tolerance means no drink driving period
Any alcohol regardless of quantity can affect individuals judgement especially those on medication
My Bru if you are on medication your not supposed to drink from the start also said clearly as you are a light drinker and know you can’t handle your alcohol then you should know not to 1 or 2 drinks should not be illegal as most people who go out and eat at restaurants who prefer an alcohol beverage with their meal so don’t be selfish just because you can’t handle it
I agree Dave James. The same argument would be to install machine gun nests at every intersection to stop crime. It would work of course but would be as ridiculous as introducing this new aberration!
Amen,Brother. A good start would also be to fix the potholes. The thing with the provisional licence is just a way to get their hands on more money.
New laws will not stop road accidents. We need existing laws to be enforced. Less potholes and more roadworthy cars. Then things will improve.
Now this lady knows what she’s talking about ! 👍🏻
Totally agree with “Zero Tolerance” when it comes to drinking and driving. A learner driver must be accompanied by a Licensed driver and the vehicle must be visible with the L signs. Speeding and reckless driving causes accidents and need to be addressed by more TPA Bleu Lights on the open roads..
I agree with zero tolerance for drinking and driving but we seriously do not need new laws regarding driving…just enforce the existing ones and there will already be a huge difference, for the better of our population.
Sybil, I agree. Corruption is the main problem. So many unroadworthy and overloaded cars driving on N1 North, passing so many police and traffic officials. So many officials sit in their cars sleeping. Please teach them not to litter where they sit.
You are 100% right. What they want is to suck money from the people.what I don’t understand is that, they sent the so called traffic police on the road which is not the good condition to stop motorist and give fine that shows the is not in a good condition..NO ONE IS GIVING THEM FINE
Unnecessary expenditure especially when this country’s economy is on its knees. Please come up with sound policies and not unnecessary costs. How do you plan to eradicate corruption in your testing centre’s where people are deliberately failed simply because they didn’t pay a bribe ? Don’t come with some lame excuses to rip us off our little income. Be mindful of the economic situation and show remorse to those struggling motorists who have lost their livelihoods.
Problem I would worry about is the corupt in the trafic police ,they are going to use this against the drivers
as we all know and its going to cost you your licence and you can do nothing as its going to cost alot to take it to court…
Please make the pdp to expire same time as the license. Licence 5 years pdp 3 years to renew pdp R900
You can forget about the Govt paying. This is indeed a way to get more money as the Govt is running out of funds, everyting looted beyond repair. Lots of these types of money-making new laws will come into practice in the future. Brace yourself for a rough ride.
Another number plate change. For crying out loud.
These changes will not stop the deaths on road or the accident percentage whe must employ qaulified officuals that know the road rules and regulations
These idiots can’t even issue current licenses.
The mind boggles.
I don’t have a problem with change of number plates as long it won’t cost us money, to be free and no long processes, taking my to test roadworthy again, you must be given when you go pay your car licence.
Why all these new changes. Yust do it. How to stop carnage and reckless and neglecting driving do the following. Put your trafic department on compulsory shifts. 3 x 8 hour shifts like the SAPS .They work only one shift from 8 to 4 currently and seldom on weekends. Mafikeng come look for yourself. The more proactive visible policing the lesser carnage on our roads. And no more draconian new laws. We change laws only when we fail to do our jobs. Dismiss those whom dont whant to work. Employ equal members of all races and genders and the Trafic and SAPS will be coming alive and be respected and will be fully functional as they are supposed to be.
We work very hard for our money now this government is busy wasting our taxpayers money. Many of them are drunks who have drivers. I only agree with the licensing story. That number plate story is e waste of money which is very scarce in south Africa. Instead of repairing the roads they come up with nonsense. Mbalula alcohol is older than you.
Yes they want to change and fucking change but employed people that can not do the hob i am not a raisist but fuck fire the duckers that can not so theire work put people in theire place that want to do the work everg weekend on the N1 north they just make n 3de and 4ft lane as they like anx the traffic does nothing look at the taxi drivers do what they want they must stop with all their changes and do whaf must be done anx stop waisting our money and the goverments money.
I agree with most of the changes. There is still one Grey area in the system. That is the drunken pedestrian. I think they are also a high cause of accidents. They to should be fined.
Who is going to pay for the new numberplates?
Agree no alcohol if you should be driving. But some people are on medicine that can cause difficulties when driving. Agree driving schools should register… But that leads to more coraption. 3 steps to a license more money out of the public pockets and more to take as they like…. municipal, provincial or government… More coraption. New license plate…. More money out of the publics pocket and in coraptions pocket….. And then when you have to work with the officials where you have to apply for this, they have the right to use your time, be disrespectful and we have to pay for it….. SA just living up to disappointment
I have a positive proposal if you can help at all please contact me via e mail or phone regards julian Walker
Add an annual road worth to keep only safe vehicles on the road
It will not stop accidents the problem is we do not have the proper skill persons spplying the law we lack huge training for these people
I don’t know why the ANC government what to change every thing that is working, they can’t even manage what there is now they want to make it more complicated, they just want to make criminals of everyone, they want to make it more and more difficult to obay the law and make a living, they are control freaks and don’t even obay the law themselves… I say NO to all of this… If they want to change anything they should simplify it not make it more complicated.
Bunch of bull shitt i am totaly agenst it all its based upon you are guilys til proven innocent if al the new laws continue no one wil be able to drive as that gets regulated insert a drive plan like a flight plan befor you can drive everything to dump our country more in to poverty!!!
Sort out the corruption within your house first before you try to enforce new laws. The people of SA are tired of your inability to do your work. Majority of roads in SA are in a shocking condition. Stop waisting money that could have been spend on real road safety. Go and guide traffic at robots not working, when last have I seen a traffic officer actually working.
I agree with Zero alchohol. Micro yes. Good
Support all mentioned this will improve safety on our roads. I am not so sure with micro dots on our number plates this means we have no privacy anymore on our roads people will now know my where abouts, to me its the same as giving strangers my personal details.
I think this is all a load of crap. The problem with alcohol is not the people who drink a glass of wine with dinner, but rather those who get drunk. As such, the current legal limit is more than adequate! Speaking of Drunk Driving, what punishment did the ANC Speaker get for Drunk Driving on his way to work at 7-30AM in 2020? No private company would allow their employers to come to work drunk, but it is okay for ANC Government Officials? I also want to know what happened to the ANC Minister that was arrested after 21-30 on New Year’s Eve in Cape Town and also Over The Legal Alcohol Limit??? I am so sick and tired of Government making rules that they expect us citizens to follow, yet it is always ANC Ministers and Government Officials who Break The Laws they set!!!
With regards to the microdots on the license plates, this is just another opportunity for someone in government to get a Back-Hand, typical of the corrupt ANC Government. The last change was the riveting of license plates, which also hasn’t deterred car theft in SA, but made certain people a lot of money. Cops must not be lazy, every car has microdots by law for many years now, the cops can look on a body panel for microdots, they don’t need them on license plates too. Another reason that this makes no sense, is if you change your registration number, because you move to another area, like Jhb to CT. That will mean an extra and totally unnecessary expense for us already Over-Taxed citizens!!!
Plz law makers mantion many because young people dnt have maney they do licences in oders to seek work. If you will need all these steps which they will need money. Where will get. Plz be clear
Like it
A lot of bs again! Where do this money grabbing government think must pay for all of these if more than half of the population are out of jobs due to the draconian lockdown rules? We can barely survive!
No to any changes that we the taxpayers must once again pay for. Current rules are adequate…just TEACH your officials to be hardworking, honest, visible and not just lazing about ….then current regulations will serve all well. Fix our roads…use your stolen and hidden funds to do it. We are tired of paying for your mistakes and croockedness.
I am agree with numberplate dot Sistem but not with other.
Microdot cost money how is getting the contract to do the Microdot on the number plates.
I personally think they need to look at the towing trailers and caravans license, this is bull shit that with a B license you can’t tow a caravan then you must go redo your complete license of witch the learners license is exactly the same for a B and EB , do they even know that towing a under 750gk is more difficult then towing sumthing a bit bigger, no they don’t , all those people that got EB,s back then befor the chance , they should all be taken away and they must also redo there license to get a EB , bull shit we should be allowed to tow small trailer or big trailer up to 3000kg there after you must get a special license, then if you are stoped at a road block then the must check if the vehicle GVM is right for the trailer GVM then they can start fining people for doing wrong,
I don’t agree with it
Zero tolerance agreed.
But we aren’t paying for a new licence plate. Microdots are already on car panels for many years. You don’t need it on a number plate.
Deal with bigger issues such as corruption within traffic department. Dismiss and open criminal cases against corrupt administrative staff who assist criminals to change ownership of vehicles on the system without the knowledge of the actual owner. Rotten to the core. Also improve the state of our roads and get officers out on visible and interactive duty daily.
More visible law enforcement please. Check and fire officers that takes bribes. Get a grip on the lawless taxi’s that is just about the cause of 9 out of 10 serious accidents.
Solve the problems to renew a person’s licence and to get new licences for your car before adding more laws that just eat up more valueble time of the already unproductive workforce of the country.
You can change a lot of things but if people ignore road signs there will be a lot of accidents on our roads. What about medicene that have alcohol in,how affect that the limit of alcohol of zero%. Just asking.
Dept Of Transport & Road Works.
I agree with the above mentioned. But…..there are more urgent matter that needs attention:
1) Corrupt Traffic Cops
2) Never a traffic cop at a intersection when the traffic lights are not working.
3) People with a drivers licences that can not drive let alone park?
4) Traffic Control. Taxi Drivers drive slow and very reckless. Causing accidents (fender benders) and road rage.
5) Overprised Toll Gate Fares. Like the N4 to Mbombela from Pretoria. Why pay R96.00 at Machadodorp for a Highway use of road if the damm road isn’t a highway anymore. Highway term…continueness two lanes and both sides. N4 IS NOT A HIGHWAY FROM MACHADORP! and yet they take R4 Million rand a day every day for a road that is not a highway. Thats corrupt! And so is your standards.
Prohibit the use of garbage trolleys on the roads intended for VEHICLES.
Let’s restrict learners from driving on highways and at night so that when they get their driver licenses they have no Idea what to do and they’re on their own because that makes complete sense
I am a retired traffic officer who worked for the Jhb. City Council for 35 years and 1 month. During my service I started work at the age of 16 years old when tje trams were still in operation. I transferred to the Jhb. Licensing Dept. as a driver examiner and thereafter to the Jhb. Traffic Dept. where I retired as a Chief Superintendent. Accidents are mainly caused by drunk driving, reckless or negligent driving and major unroadworthy motor vehicles. We have enough laws to combat the above. What we need is well trained educated traffic officers to do the law enforcement. Officers who travel in vehicles and observe the moving violations not a number of officers standing in groups in one spot ticketing minor vehicle defects eg. a defective tail light, stop light, headlamp, hooter in the middle of the day. The problem also exists that very few cases ending up in court are found not guilty as a result of the poor quality evidence provided by a large proportion of officers. South Africa should gain knowledge from countries like Australia, Canada and many other countries to learn what professional law enforcement together with the present technology , is all about. Trying to reinvent the wheel is not the way to follow. I hold a code 14 divers license and have never been in a motor vehicle collision in my 60 years of driving
How about they fix the damn potholes, useless people, they want to find fault with drivers and vehicles but can’t even maintain the public roads which cause damage to vehicles and accidents… They are useless verby… Corrupt verby… Totally incompetent… Verby
I think they should make away with the two years prdp and extend it to five years it makes it much easier for SA truckers i am still waiting for my license since November by the time I receive it , it won’t be long then i have to reapply and it costs a lot of money.
We need more law ENFORCEMENT, not more useless laws.
We need more traffic officers on the road patrolling day and night. The way the people are driving is causing accidents. I would like to know where are all those cars and officers you see at roadblocks and reporting in the mornings at the roll call during the day? You just don’t see them oh only 2 or 3 parked next to the road manning a speed camera. All the laws in the world will not change a thing unless the driving on the road changes.
A simple pothole is a problem to fix now you jumping to new laws you think you making progress with so much coruption?Might as well close restaurants & sab. During lockdown the country lost R24 billion from ban of alcohol. You know you need that money to replace the one you stole
Als help en is goed en wel,maar ek moes my bestuurskool toemaak oor die leerlinge se ouers eerder dit skelim wou doen net om die eerste keer te pass.Kry dit uit die system dan sal dit beter gaan op die paaie.
Put zuma in jail first, get back the TRILLIONS form him & Gupta Then I can afford to pay for new licence plates..
Why new number plates? Just micro dot the existing number plate.
Change the numbers per day that vehicle testing stations can test to provide us with better roadworthy cars because 24 limited a day is not working we dont have enough testing stations for all the vehicles on the road … if the limit goes back to what it was 1 pit stations to 76 vehicles a day we might have safer roads because the vehicles on our road will be roadworthy !
Do not agree with number plate changes unless it will be for free.
Do not agree to micro dot tracjing on vheicle as that will no longer be a private vehicle and discloses privacy.
Make license easyer for people to obtain and we will have less people driving without them.
Alcohol law i fully support.
I don’t agree with the three stages to get a driver’s licence. The idea with getting a learner’s licence at age 17 is that you then spend the next year driving under supervision with a licenced driver next to you in the passenger seat. After a year of experience, you can then get a driver’s licence at age 18.
Of course, some start later but perhaps a logbook or a time frame ie. minimum 6 months between getting a learners and a driver’s licence to allow time for the learner-driver to get experience.
Putting in another costly, administrative step (another avenue for corruption is not the answer).
I’d also go for making learner drivers sit through a horror reality movie of the outcome of driver-error accidents. Driving a car is not all fun-and-games. It is a responsibility.
There is little purpose in adding law upon law when there is no will or incentive to apply them. Traffic enforcers are a generally corrupt, lazy and poorly trained bunch of operators who don’t uphold the laws they are meant to enforce. They don’t respect traffic signals and on numerous occasions I have spotted then turning a blind eye to flagrant flaunting if laws and dangerous behaviour because they just couldn’t be bothered getting out of the comfy vehicle to address the matter. They spend more time on cell phones, leaning against cars than doing their jobs. The latest fad seems to be driving without number plates. Apply and enforce the law equally to all. That will make a difference.
If people will learn wat is Red, what is Green! So little stop at stopsighs. Traffic is sitting on that corner, nothing is done to that! What do people think STOP stands for? Most of them,SIT TOON OP PETROL.
The zero alcohol Law is ridiculous. It’s not the drivers who have two or maybe 3 drinks that are the problem.
It’s the drivers who start to drink and won’t stop. And then drive.
What will you do when there is a zero alcohol limit and we are still having alcohol related accidents?
Ban liquor again?
Go after the drunken drivers,
My suggestion is,
First offence. R5000 fine.
Second one. R20,000 fine and 1year suspended jail sentence.
Third offence. Jail for one year and confiscate vehicle, even if financed.