Motorist Zainab Goondiwala wrote on Facebook, “After reading the article on the 40km/h speed limit, I was concerned as I travel along this road.
I have not received any fines by post so thought I would check online.
To my horror, I have four fines pending, dating back to May 2013. Our law enforcement will gladly put me in jail for being unable to afford these fines, but do nothing about all the murdering, robbing scum out there.”
Despite sharp criticisms, there are others who believe the speed limit is necessary even if going 40km/h down a hill is not so easy. Judith Taylor, chairperson of Sector 4, Sandton Community Policing Forum, insists the speed limit has increased safety on the road. Taylor works for a company on Kelvin Drive and said many of the accidents had occurred outside her office building. She said she had witnessed two fatal accidents, and that there had been numerous incidents where cars had veered off the road into the neighbouring office building. Ward 103 councillor Vincent Earp confirmed the 40km/h speed limit zone had been put up on a very dangerous section of the road, and he believed the excessive accidents on the road had forced city council’s hand to enforce a 40km/h speed zone. “I support the residents’ views that clear signage is in order to warn motorists of the sudden drop in speed limit, helping avoid confusion and fines,” he said, adding that a 60km/h speed limit would have been more appropriate.
Many motorists were unaware of the speed restriction and have questioned the fairness of receiving fines for speeding on that section of road.
“The speed limit for that stretch of road is ridiculous and only makes sense to the fine collector,” wrote Joe Mandim. He said he had received an Aarto infringement notice showing he had clocked 56-60km/h going down Kelvin Drive and a fine of R500. He said he had received this notice once the grace period of receiving the discount payment was already over. Paul Marsden complained that he only received his fine, seven weeks after the actual infringement, and therefore could also not qualify for the discount. Dedon Hansie Matsimbe commented on Facebook that it was not impossible to drive at more than 40km/h on that stretch of road, and wondered if the limit was just to produce an income for the Metro police.
Defending the Metro police, spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said it was their job to enforce already existing laws governing the roads, whether the speed limit was 20km/h or 120km/h. Taylor admitted she was among those who had received a fine for ‘speeding’ at more than 40km/h down the road.
“As Sector 4 chairperson I am pushing for more balanced signage on the road,” she said, empathising with residents’ concerns.
“If motorists yielding to a lower speed limit can save a life, this is not a bad thing.”
