Speed Traps in South Africa
South Africa is well known for speed traps, and there are a number of ways that these traps can be set up. Speed traps may be legal or illegal, depending on all of the relevant factors, and any driver who feels that they were unfairly ticketed should contest the traffic fines with the court. Speed traps are not allowed in some countries around the world because they are considered deceiving, but this is not true in South Africa, and some complain that the traffic police have turned these traps into an art here. Some speed traps are an opportunity for corruption by the officials involved, and in some areas these traps are used to line the pockets and bank accounts of the traffic police who are supposedly enforcing the laws. In some areas of South Africa drivers who are experienced in the matter carry around a one hundred dollar rand note to pay off any claims of speeding due to hidden speed traps. Some drivers have started to fight back against both the speed traps and any corruption that is occurring. One driver actually took a picture of the bribe note he carried, and then called and reported the officer had taken a bribe and reported the number of the note. The officer was searched, the bribe money was found, and he was dismissed. This route could be dangerous though, and an easier way to avoid any speed traps is to pay close attention to the speed limit at all times and do not exceed it.
The Problem With Speed Traps
One of the biggest problem with speed traps in South Africa, besides the widespread corruption, is the complaint of selective enforcement. Many areas of South Africa have a high number of complaints concerning where the speed traps are set up at. Some complain that these traps are never set up in places that include any taxi routes, and that this fact shows favoritism and a collaboration with the taxi drivers and owners to protect them from the fines and tickets that the traps represent. Traffic departments counter that this is not true, and that the traps are set up based on the amount of traffic in the area as well as any complaints of speeding from motorists. One way to counter these complaints concerning speed traps and preferential treatment for taxis would be to release the statistics, totals, and percentages of the speeding tickets given out to the general population, the taxis in the area, and the two combined. This would either prove the argument was wrong or that it was right, and if there is no difference in treatment and tickets issued releasing the information can not hurt.
Are Speed Traps Used To Improve Safety Or To Generate Revenue?
One theory and argument behind speed traps in South Africa, as well as in other places, is that these traps improve safety by slowing down speeding drivers and preventing accidents, injuries, and deaths. Others counter that if this is true and speed traps are all about improving road and driving safety, why are they hidden and not announced with signs? This group argues that the speed traps are all about the income, and nothing more. In many countries these traps are clearly visible, and may include signs warning the drivers that there is a speed trap ahead. In these cases the the driving speed of the vehicle is usually slowed down to the legal speed limit once the signs become visible, and the effort is a success because road safety has improved. In South Africa, speed traps are not marked and are in fact normally hidden. Bushes, billboards, even bus shelters and other unusual locations have been used as cover for these traps, so that drivers are not aware that it is even there until it is too late. This leads to more revenue generated, because more fines are imposed, but traffic and road safety has not really been improved at all.
Speed Traps Can Involve Officers Or Cameras
There are different ways that speed traps can be set up, depending on the location and the amount of traffic. One way that these traps are accomplished in South Africa is to have a traffic enforcement officer hide with the speed detection device. The hiding spot can be in the bushes, behind a structure, or any other place where visibility of the officer is obstructed. The speed trap is designed to catch motorists exceeding the allowable speed limit, and this can also be done using cameras as well. Cameras can be posted almost anywhere, and using two or more cameras which are calculated for time and distance can determine whether a vehicle is speeding just like a traffic officer can. Camera enforcement speed traps allow fines to be levied as well, and if the picture is clear and visible it can be proof, and used as evidence in court that the driver was speeding.
Sources:
http://www.speedtraps.co.za/public-page.php
http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=181&art_id=vn20090518060013183C835689
The Problem With Speed Traps
One of the biggest problem with speed traps in South Africa, besides the widespread corruption, is the complaint of selective enforcement. Many areas of South Africa have a high number of complaints concerning where the speed traps are set up at. Some complain that these traps are never set up in places that include any taxi routes, and that this fact shows favoritism and a collaboration with the taxi drivers and owners to protect them from the fines and tickets that the traps represent. Traffic departments counter that this is not true, and that the traps are set up based on the amount of traffic in the area as well as any complaints of speeding from motorists. One way to counter these complaints concerning speed traps and preferential treatment for taxis would be to release the statistics, totals, and percentages of the speeding tickets given out to the general population, the taxis in the area, and the two combined. This would either prove the argument was wrong or that it was right, and if there is no difference in treatment and tickets issued releasing the information can not hurt.
Are Speed Traps Used To Improve Safety Or To Generate Revenue?
One theory and argument behind speed traps in South Africa, as well as in other places, is that these traps improve safety by slowing down speeding drivers and preventing accidents, injuries, and deaths. Others counter that if this is true and speed traps are all about improving road and driving safety, why are they hidden and not announced with signs? This group argues that the speed traps are all about the income, and nothing more. In many countries these traps are clearly visible, and may include signs warning the drivers that there is a speed trap ahead. In these cases the the driving speed of the vehicle is usually slowed down to the legal speed limit once the signs become visible, and the effort is a success because road safety has improved. In South Africa, speed traps are not marked and are in fact normally hidden. Bushes, billboards, even bus shelters and other unusual locations have been used as cover for these traps, so that drivers are not aware that it is even there until it is too late. This leads to more revenue generated, because more fines are imposed, but traffic and road safety has not really been improved at all.
Speed Traps Can Involve Officers Or Cameras
There are different ways that speed traps can be set up, depending on the location and the amount of traffic. One way that these traps are accomplished in South Africa is to have a traffic enforcement officer hide with the speed detection device. The hiding spot can be in the bushes, behind a structure, or any other place where visibility of the officer is obstructed. The speed trap is designed to catch motorists exceeding the allowable speed limit, and this can also be done using cameras as well. Cameras can be posted almost anywhere, and using two or more cameras which are calculated for time and distance can determine whether a vehicle is speeding just like a traffic officer can. Camera enforcement speed traps allow fines to be levied as well, and if the picture is clear and visible it can be proof, and used as evidence in court that the driver was speeding.
Sources:
http://www.speedtraps.co.za/public-page.php
http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=181&art_id=vn20090518060013183C835689
