The SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) has rubbished a viral message claiming it is reducing speed limits across South Africa.
The agency says the communique is fake and not only misleading but also beyond Sanral’s actual powers.
The message, which has been doing the rounds on social media and WhatsApp, claims new “Sanral Highway Laws” would kick in from July 1, lowering speed limits on various road types in a bid to reduce road deaths.
According to the bogus alert, urban road limits would drop to 50km/h, rural roads to 80km/h, highways to 110km/h, heavy vehicles to 90km/h, and school zones to 30km/h during school hours.
But Sanral has firmly distanced itself from the claims.
“Sanral has a distinct mandate to manage the country’s national road network. This includes financing, planning, development, maintenance and rehabilitation — not law enforcement,” said Vusi Mona, Sanral’s GM for communications and marketing.
“Sanral does not have the authority to change or enforce speed limits. That responsibility lies with other arms of government.”
Read | RTMC Proposes Reducing All Speed Limits By 20km/h
Mona urged the public to remain vigilant and to report suspicious information to Sanral’s hotline on 0800 204 508 or via email at [email protected].
While Sanral has denied involvement, there have been real calls in the past to lower speed limits.
In 2022, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) proposed a 10km/h reduction on urban and freeway speed limits to help reduce fatalities — a recommendation tabled before Parliament but not yet implemented.
For now, speed limits remain unchanged — and truckers and motorists alike can rest easy, knowing they won’t be crawling at 80 on the N1 just yet.
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