Gauteng reveals details of partial truck ban

Leonard Neill NO BLANKET ban on heavy trucks using Gauteng highways during peak periods is to be introduced at present, but this type of vehicle is to be restricted to using left-hand lanes on designated Gauteng highways between certain hours when new regulations are implemented on September 16, says Gauteng transport and roads MEC Khabisi Mosunkutu. These vehicles will also not be allowed to exceed a speed limit of 60km/hr and cannot overtake each other during the restricted periods. The times to be observed will be decided upon by transport officials during the next eight weeks after observations of existing road traffic patterns have taken place. Mosunkutu's announcement follows recent discussions with the Road Freight Association, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA, the SA Chamber of Business and SA Breweries, who had raised objections to the proposed blanket ban. Road signs are to be erected 'in good time' to inform truck drivers of the changes. The Gauteng transport head has however emphasised that these moves are merely the start of a campaign to ease congestion on the province's major roads. "This is not about trucks, it is about congestion as a whole," he says. "There is congestion out there and it is costing this province R1 billion per annum. Every mode of transport contributes in some way or other, and every aspect of transport is to be reviewed in the future." Further plans to decongest Gauteng's roads will focus on high occupancy vehicles such as buses and taxis as well as private motor vehicles. Mosunkutu has called on industry in general to assist the provincial authorities with a mix of self-regulation and proactive policing. Transport department officials will evaluate results of the new campaign between November this year and April 2003 and then decide if they have been successful, or if more vigorous regulations need to be introduced.