UMNGENI motorists are up in arms after receiving hefty speed fines in Howick. To their consternation they discovered that without prior warning the speed limit had been reduced from 60 km/h to 40 km/h. Cameras have recently become operational and motorists complain that they are picking up three and more speeding tickets in one day.
Democratic Alliance councillor Tim Lindsay-White said he has been inundated with complaints from motorists who have received fines in the post ranging from R750 to R2 500. He said the reduced speed zones are between the N3 interchanges and Howick and Merrivale. “Hundreds of motorists are likely to have been affected in a relatively short time,” Lindsay-White said.
He added that his own inquiries revealed that at some stage about four years ago someone at the municipality took a decision to reduce the speed limit to 40 km/h.
It seems no one was aware of this as there were no regulatory signs nor previous fines. However, cameras were recently mounted and with them the 40 km/h signs.
He added that residents are concerned that revenue rather than road safety is the aim.
Lindsay-White said that a company called TMT had been issuing the fines.
“The appointment of TMT, the speed enforcement administrators, had been questioned in the full council meeting at the end of August, when it was resolved to defer the matter until it could be confirmed that due process had been followed.
“Yet TMT had issued fines before council had even been informed that they had been appointed, and continued fining motorists after council had ruled that the matter be pended subject to verification,” he added.
Lindsay-White advised motorists who have received fines in the 40 km/h zones to make representation to the manager of traffic and licensing at uMngeni with a view of having the fines reduced.
He is also establishing whether a town can change its speed limit from the national norm without gazetting and informing citizens.
Acting municipal manager Sandile Buthelezi did not respond to an SMS by the time of going to press. — Witness Reporter.
