Speed fine harvest must make traffic cops happy 2009-06-04
THE traffic authorities must be elated with their recent harvest of speeding fines, derived from speed traps on the N1 in those sections temporarily restricted to 60km/h due to construction.
I have been caught a few times, and so have quite a few people I know. None of us are reckless, irresponsible people, who would typically contribute to the death and mayhem on our roads.
In fact, we are regular middle age, middle class folk, who pay our taxes and play by the rules.
But let us consider the circumstances where we have been trapped (or dare I say entrapped?). The normal speed limit on this road is 120 km/h, and it is completely understandable that the limit would need to be reduced during construction, in the interest of safety.
But two considerations come to mind; one, what is the technical legality of the speed fine, if the traffic authority cannot prove that at the time and place of your speeding, the signage indicating 60 km/h was in fact displayed?
I have witnessed these temporary speed signs being used in a very haphazard fashion on occasion, and it is quite feasible that the signage were occasionally inconsistent with the limits enforced.
Unless the offender is photographed with the car and speed signage visible, this charge could easily be dismissed in court.
The second consideration, is that a person travelling 80 km/h in an area usually restricted to 120 km/h is already behaving in partial compliance with the restriction.
In other words, he or she is demonstrating a willingness to comply, and having a regard for the safety of the construction crew.
The only crime, is that the person is not fully compliant. This is a very different situation to a person travelling 80 km/h in Paarl Main Street, where the speed limit never is, and never should be 80 km/h.
Yet, our ever diligent authorities believe it is appropriate to apply the standard penalty structure, and not to commence with a warning system before resorting to penalties.
But, having the law on your side, and not having to think too hard about the public service you render, have long been the privilege of our traffic authorities.
And they achieve full marks for exploiting a revenue opportunity. I have paid my fines now, but my estimation of traffic authorities have taken another blow.
