Metro accused of overzealous speed trapping

The Sandton Chronicle has received complaints from unhappy motorists who claim that members of the force are motivated by making money instead of enforcing the law on a relatively harmless stretch of road.

“Metro police have decided that they need to make substantial funds in the shortest possible time. To achieve this goal, they worked out that the lowest speed restriction where they could do this is on Kelvin Drive,” said a reader who asked to be named just as ‘James’.

“Towards the bottom of Kelvin Drive there is a slight kink in the road where the speed limit was reduced from 60kph to 40kph. On pleasant sunny days Metro officers position themselves behind a tree close to the bottom of the hill and enjoy refreshments. On a good day you will see the camera continuously flashing as car after car is nailed.”

James said he wasn’t suggesting that there should not be speed restrictions on that particular spot, but added that the current limit was absurd.

“The only cars conforming to the 40kph limit are normally those who have seen flashing lights from on-coming cars indicating a speed trap ahead, but even then some are unable to reduce speed quickly enough. Over two days in May my daughter and I received fines totalling R3 000. For having the audacity to travel at 58kph I was given a R500 fine. My daughter received a fine of R1 000 for racing through at 66kph. I am sure fellow motorists will agree that 40kph is not a practical speed limit to keep to and that 60kph would still be adequate for Kelvin Drive, or any other road for that matter,” added James.

Metro police spokesperson Superintendent Edna Mamonyane repudiated claims that it was a money-making initiative to reduce the speed limit, but promised that an investigation would be conducted.

“Our officers don’t just wake up in the morning to alter the speeds on our roads. There is a lengthy procedure to change signs, including construction work, a high accident rate on a particular road, and directives issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions. There is a valid reason why the speed limit was changed, and I’m convinced local residents were influential in this. I urge motorists to adhere to it instead of complaining. In the meantime, we will look into the allegations that speeding fines are issued as a money-making scheme, instead of encouraging obedience of the law,” added Mamonyane.