South Africa's road traffic fatality rate of 40 per 100,000 is twice the global rate - excessive speed is a major culprit and estimated to play part in 30-50% of vehicle related accidents, second only to alcohol-related traffic incidents.  

Why does speed kill? Speed kills because the faster you go, the more force your vehicle has and the less control you have. Increased speed is directly drives increased number and severity of accidents. Consider this: If you hit a child at 45km/h there is an 80% chance the child will live; if you hit a child at 50km/h, there is an 80% chance the child will die (Think UK Drive Aware Campaign).

Additionally, excessive speeding does not save you much time. If you are taking a 10 kilometre journey, driving 60km/h gets you to your destination in 10 minutes. If you increase your speed to 70km/h, you will reach your destination in 9 minutes. In other words, for every 10 kilometres, speeding only saves 1 minute.

Never put yourself in a position where your speeding kills or injures - keep to the speed limit!

A speed limit is the maximum speed that you can travel on the road in good conditions. Signs showing the speed limit are displayed beside the road. These signs have a red border (see Speed Limit below), which means that the sign is compulsory. You may drive slower than the speed limit shown, but you must be considerate towards vehicles behind you.

You must drive slower than the limit if:

1. Conditions make the speed shown unsafe; or
2. You are driving a vehicle which requires you to drive at a lower speed (see Table below); or
3. You are driving behind a lower speed limit vehicle and it is unsafe to overtake it

Speed limit changes take effect at the sign post. Before reaching the sign make sure you:

1. Reduce your speed, if the sign indicates a lower speed
2. Do not increase your speed until you pass the sign, if the sign indicates a higher speed

Tip: There are also signs that indicate a minimum speed, typically restricted to a certain class of vehicles as for instance goods vehicles. These signs are blue with white text (see Command below).

Depending on the road, general speed limits apply. This table shows the general speed limits for certain types of vehicles and apply unless otherwise indicated by a speed sign next to the road:

1. Your speed is safe for the prevailing conditions:
   a.    Traffic:  for example, slow down if you are on a busy road, or if there are pedestrians or cyclists around)
   b.    Road: for example, slow down if the road is winding, bumpy, or narrow
   c.    Weather: for example, slow down if it is raining, windy, wet, icy or foggy
   d.    Your load: for example, slow down with a heavy load
2. You can stop suddenly, without swerving
   a.    Behind a vehicle that you’re following – remember you are responsible for any tailgate crash
   b.    In half the length of clear road you can see in front of you on

If you are driving slower than the speed limit and there are vehicles following you, you must:

1. Keep as close to the left side of the road as possible
2. Pull over as soon as it is safe to let following vehicles overtake.

Do not speed up on straight stretches of road to prevent following vehicles from overtaking you.

If you exceed the speed limit you can be fined on the spot or be told to appear in court. Some typical penalties include (but are not restricted to):