Cape to slash all speed limits

Cape Town - A blanket 10km/h reduction of all speed limits is being planned for the Western Cape - including towns, which means the basic urban speed limit will be 50km/h!



The Western Cape Provincial Road Traffic Bill has been published in the Provincial Gazette and is open for public comment until September 20 2012.



The move means a maximum speed of 110km/h on open roads; all other limits to drop by 10km/h.



'NO LONGER TOLERATED'



In addition the minster. Robin Carlisle, wants 40km/h and 30km/h zones near shops, schools and areas of "high pedestrian concentration".



Carlise said: "The carnage on our roads is an issue that affects us all. The distinction between driver, passenger and pedestrian becomes non-existent as we all bear a shared responsibility to ourselves and others."



Regulations already being drafted include the banning of "blue lights" for VIP transport as well as the law forcing powered vehicles to stay at least 1.5m from a bicycle rider while overtaking.



Within 60minutes of publishing nearly 100 comments bloomed on this story!



Blue-light convoys have repeatedly been involved in fatal crashes throughout South Africa and Carlisle has stated: "This will no longer be tolerated."



As a result, blue lights may not be used except in the case of a confirmed threat to the life of the VIP.



Other proposed regulations:



Protecting children

A new regulation proposing the mandatory use of child restraints, seat belts and rear and forward-facing child seats is being considered. There is a call for shared seating to be banned.



Harsh penalties for non-compliance will be applied; there will also be an offence of reckless behaviour with child passengers. Carlisle has also called for a ban on overtaking stationary school buses and other child transport.



Seatbelts

Passengers not wearing a seat belt will be fined "personally" rather than the offence resting on the driver's shoulders.



The public is encouraged to submit written or e-mail comments on the bill before September 20, 2012.



Postal address:

Attention Mr M L Watters

Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works

Box 2603

Cape Town

8000

Fax to 021 483 2166



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