Transport Minister spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi has confirmed to BusinessTech when South African motorists can expect to see the Department of Transport’s big proposed road regulations implemented.

The first of these regulations will come into effect from 1 May 2017 and will prohibit bakkie drivers from both transporting children in the back of their vehicles, as well as stop them from carrying more than five passengers in the vehicle’s load bay.

In addition, stricter speed regulations have been placed on heavy goods vehicles, limiting how fast the vehicles are permitted to travel based on their weight. These vehicles will also have to display a sticker with a ‘100’ limit.

Mnisi also confirmed that the other major proposed regulations first brought to light in 2015, would be open for public comment within the coming months, with the idea that the rules would be implemented officially within the next year.

These new regulations include:

Drivers will have to undergo a practical re-evaluation when renewing a licence.

A complete review and revamp of the current K53 test.

Speed limits to be reduced from 60km/h to 40km/h in urban areas, from 100 to 80km/h in rural areas and from 120 to 100km/h on freeways running through a residential area

Goods vehicles above 9,000kg GVM to be banned from public roads during peak travelling times.