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When does the 80km/h speed limit apply to trucks?

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Question: When does the 80km/h speed limit apply to trucks?

Common Truck Types

image1

Rigid: 12,5 metres long; speed limited to 80 km/h

 

image2

Rigid & Dog: 19 metres long; speed limited to 80 km/h

 

image3Semi-Trailer: 19 metres long; speed limited to 80 km/h

 

image4B-Double: 22 metres long; speed limited to 80 km/h with “LONG VEHICLE” sign at rear

 

GENERAL SPEED LIMITS in terms of the National Road Traffic Act, 1989 and its Regulations are:

SPEED LIMITS AND THE LAW:

  • 60 km/h on a public road within an urban area
  • 100 km/h on public road outside an urban area which is not a freeway; and
  • 120 km/h on every freeway.

A maximum speed limit of 80 km/h for a goods vehicle with a GVM exceeding 9t, a combination vehicle consisting of a goods vehicle (i.e. drawing vehicle and one or two trailers) of which the sum of the GVM of the goods vehicle and of the trailer(s) exceeds 9t and an articulated vehicle of which the GCM exceeds 9t.

Provision is also made that certain vehicles (minibuses, buses and goods vehicles) shall not exceed the speed limits imposed on tyres by SABS 1550 or as approved by the manufacturer of such tyres.

  • The 80km/h applies when the goods vehicle has a GVM  or GCM over 9 000 kg.
  • If the vehicle is over 3 500 kg up to 9 000 kg the 100 km/h limit applies.
  • A combination of goods vehicles where the combined GVMs of the drawing vehicle and trailer exceeds 3 500 kg is also limited to 3 500 kg

Also view:

Sharing Roads with and Overtaking Trucks

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