The fastest speed limit in South Africa

If you’re scratching your head in confusion, you’re not alone. This sounds like a car movie. However, there’s a valid reason why a certain section is open to cars that drive above and beyond the speed limit in South Africa. On the positive side, there are no speed traps here. It is also impossible for the public to access this particular highway section.

The 250 km/h ‘legal’ speed limit in South Africa

The Northern Cape is known for being the largest province in South Africa and for birthing the name "diamond city," with Kimberley in its midst. Apart from its rich culture and heritage sites, it’s home to magnificent landscapes and beautiful attractions, offering unimaginable beauty like no other. Behind the fascinating travel spots and winding roads to navigate, it’s also the place where cars go to test the limits – the speed limit.

The highway’s speed limit

Located on the N14 between Kakamas and Pofadder, a section of the road allows cars to reach speeds of 250 km/h. This section runs for 120 km and is measured to double South Africa’s standard highway speed limit of 120 km/h. Nonetheless, this area is used for one reason and one reason only.

Given the small number of inhabitants in the area, roads here are in relatively good condition because they’re used sparingly and aren’t put under strain, unlike urban driving. 

What would it be used for then?

The tests and maximum speed of a car

High-performing vehicles have used the South African highway in the past, some even performing their trials around 2012, with the most noteworthy being the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse. The next runner-up on the highway was the second-generation Porsche Panamera in 2016, alongside several BMW models dating back to 2008.

Top Auto briefly mentioned that carmakers use this section to test high-performance vehicles under hot climate conditions before they are sent off to production, ensuring they’re ready to perform in intense heat. It’s impossible to miss this stretch, as yellow signs are posted at both ends reading: “Caution. Only authorised vehicles for speed testing for the next 120 km.”

This explains why the public isn’t welcome to use this road, as speed testing must be approved by the relevant authorities first. This includes the official sticker that reads, “High-Speed Test Vehicle Approved by Government.” Not fair, right? But obviously necessary. 

General speed limits in South Africa 

While the 250 km/h highway remains at full supreme, South African officials have once announced plans to reduce the country’s speed limits.  The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) planned to limit top speeds, among other measures that could have prevented road fatalities. 

South Africa’s road regulations are supposedly ‘inline’ with the United Nations' stance on reducing speed limits by 10 km/h. Highway speed limits would be reduced from 120 km/h to 100 km/h. Additionally, residential speed limits of 60 km/h would drop to 50 km/h. However, much to the public’s delight, the regulations to enforce these speed limit reductions have yet to be introduced.

Conclusion 

When it comes to highways, you might notice some enthusiastic drivers going well above the speed limit, while others drive much slower in the fast lane during a Sunday outing. Interestingly, when you compare global speed limits—for example, in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand—they aren't much different, except for the Autobahn in Germany. Despite this, road fatality rates vary significantly across countries.

Even with special tests and planned regulations, speed limits exist for a reason, and if you aren’t convinced yet, you should read our blog on highway road safety.

 

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