,ENG2601 Assignment 2 (COMPLETE ANSWERS)
2025 - DUE 24 June 2025; 100% TRUSTED
Complete, trusted solutions and explanations
MULTIPLE CHOICE ,ASSURED EXCELLENCE
Read the article below and answer the questions that follow.
The big lie about speed limits in South Africa Lower speed limits
do not translate into reduced road fatalities despite what
authorities would have you believe. This is the view of Rob
Handfield-Jones, road safety expert and managing director of
advanced driver training company D. In 2022, the Road Traffic
Management Corporation (RTMC) proposed slashing speed
limits in an effort to address the scourge of road deaths in the
country. At the time, it noted that a process was underway to
reduce urban speed limits from 60km/h to 50km/h, and
freeway speed limits from 120km/h to 110km/h. It said these
suggested changes were based on recommendations by the
United Nations’ road council, of which South Africa is a
member, which said countries with high road fatalities should
consider slashing speed limits by 10km/h. Handfield-Jones told
MyBroadband that the fixation on speed limits is rooted in the
fact that it is a significant income generator for the authorities,
and that it has nothing to do with improving the safety of the
roads. Speed cameras are easy money “In 1998, South Africa
had its safest year in history on our roads despite speed limits
which were, on many roads, considerably higher than now,”
, said Handfield-Jones. “Speed only gets airtime because it is
Assignment 02 Due date: 09 June 2025 Compulsory: Yes
ENG2601/ASSIGNMENT 02/2025 associated with motor racing
and danger, but the irony is that back in 2006 — the last year in
which South Africa had credible traffic statistics — a South
African racing driver was statistically twice as likely to die in
their road car than in their racing car.” He said that the RTMC,
the biggest proponent of speed cap adjustments, has
disregarded government’s own research on the efficacy of
lower limits. Referencing a 2003 study of contributory factors to
fatal crashes, the expert said that only 7.9% of fatal car
accidents listed speed as a contributing factor. “In other words,
92.1% didn’t — and that’s fatal crashes,” said Handfield-Jones.
“Extend the study to include all crashes and speed would fade
into insignificance compared to driver errors like incorrect
following distance or insufficient awareness before
manoeuvering.” Several years ago government revised speed
limits for public transport vehicles from 120km/h to 100km/h to
enhance safety, however, this had nowhere near the intended
outcome. “In fact, four years after the change, the bus occupant
fatality rate — as reported by the RTMC — rose by nearly 30%
in a single year from 2005 to 2006!” said Handfield-Jones. In
2021 the RTMC commissioned a more comprehensive study
into the effect speed limits have on road fatalities, which
Handfield-Jones labeled “almost comedic.” “For example, on
2025 - DUE 24 June 2025; 100% TRUSTED
Complete, trusted solutions and explanations
MULTIPLE CHOICE ,ASSURED EXCELLENCE
Read the article below and answer the questions that follow.
The big lie about speed limits in South Africa Lower speed limits
do not translate into reduced road fatalities despite what
authorities would have you believe. This is the view of Rob
Handfield-Jones, road safety expert and managing director of
advanced driver training company D. In 2022, the Road Traffic
Management Corporation (RTMC) proposed slashing speed
limits in an effort to address the scourge of road deaths in the
country. At the time, it noted that a process was underway to
reduce urban speed limits from 60km/h to 50km/h, and
freeway speed limits from 120km/h to 110km/h. It said these
suggested changes were based on recommendations by the
United Nations’ road council, of which South Africa is a
member, which said countries with high road fatalities should
consider slashing speed limits by 10km/h. Handfield-Jones told
MyBroadband that the fixation on speed limits is rooted in the
fact that it is a significant income generator for the authorities,
and that it has nothing to do with improving the safety of the
roads. Speed cameras are easy money “In 1998, South Africa
had its safest year in history on our roads despite speed limits
which were, on many roads, considerably higher than now,”
, said Handfield-Jones. “Speed only gets airtime because it is
Assignment 02 Due date: 09 June 2025 Compulsory: Yes
ENG2601/ASSIGNMENT 02/2025 associated with motor racing
and danger, but the irony is that back in 2006 — the last year in
which South Africa had credible traffic statistics — a South
African racing driver was statistically twice as likely to die in
their road car than in their racing car.” He said that the RTMC,
the biggest proponent of speed cap adjustments, has
disregarded government’s own research on the efficacy of
lower limits. Referencing a 2003 study of contributory factors to
fatal crashes, the expert said that only 7.9% of fatal car
accidents listed speed as a contributing factor. “In other words,
92.1% didn’t — and that’s fatal crashes,” said Handfield-Jones.
“Extend the study to include all crashes and speed would fade
into insignificance compared to driver errors like incorrect
following distance or insufficient awareness before
manoeuvering.” Several years ago government revised speed
limits for public transport vehicles from 120km/h to 100km/h to
enhance safety, however, this had nowhere near the intended
outcome. “In fact, four years after the change, the bus occupant
fatality rate — as reported by the RTMC — rose by nearly 30%
in a single year from 2005 to 2006!” said Handfield-Jones. In
2021 the RTMC commissioned a more comprehensive study
into the effect speed limits have on road fatalities, which
Handfield-Jones labeled “almost comedic.” “For example, on