The Automobile Association urges motorists to ensure that modifications are legal, safe, and compliant with the National Road Traffic Act.
Image: Supplied
South Africans like nothing more than taking a stock-standard car and making it faster, louder, brighter and lower.
It ranges from mild to wild as we reported recently but there are dangers associated with it and it’s often not legal.
We reached out to the Automobile Association of South Africa to get their take on what should be kept in mind before taking a grinder to your car.
We also asked for their comment on current roadworthy and licence legislation and its enforcement.
Consider this
“The AA acknowledges that South Africa has a strong car culture but we urge motorists to ensure that modifications are legal, safe and compliant with the National Road Traffic Act."
They added that before making any modifications, vehicle owners should consider the following:
Legality: Some modifications, such as excessive engine tuning, non-compliant lighting and altered exhaust systems, may be illegal. Always verify with regulatory authorities before proceeding.
Safety: Changes to suspension, braking systems or structural components can compromise vehicle safety. Ensure all modifications meet manufacturer and road safety standards.
Roadworthiness: Many insurers will not cover vehicles with unauthorised modifications. Additionally, unapproved modifications can render a vehicle unroadworthy.
The AA believes that legislation should be better enforced and updated where necessary to align with modern vehicle safety standards.
Image: Karen Sandison / Independent Media
Enforcement
While South Africa has legislation in place, the AA say that enforcement is not without its challenges.
“While South Africa has regulations in place, enforcement remains inconsistent. Many illegal modifications go undetected, increasing risks on the road. The AA believes that legislation should be better enforced and updated where necessary to align with modern vehicle safety standards.”
The AA is willing to work with the Government on a plan that will enforce frequent, mandatory roadworthy inspections.
Image: DOCTOR NGCOBO/AfricannewsAgency(ANA)
Roadworthy
When it comes to vehicle roadworthy tests, currently there are no annual or for that matter, regular roadworthy tests.
Once you have the licence papers, you’re pretty much free to do what you want to the vehicle as long as you renew your licence every year.
“Unlike countries such as the UK, which enforce annual MOT (Ministry of Transport) inspections, South Africa only requires motorists to renew their vehicle licence discs annually. Without mandatory roadworthiness checks for private vehicles, many unroadworthy cars remain on our roads unchecked.
"The AA advocates for annual vehicle roadworthiness inspections to ensure that vehicles remain safe over time.”
They say it will prevent vehicles from becoming unsafe due to modifications or neglect, reduce the number of unroadworthy cars on the road and close loopholes that allow dangerous vehicles to operate without oversight.
“The AA is willing to work with the government on a plan that will enforce frequent, mandatory roadworthy inspections and help to combat any fraudulent activities that have been in the spotlight recently where service providers approve vehicles that should be deemed unroadworthy.”
Corruption
As we know, corruption is a scourge that almost every motorist has come across, with “cooldrink” money often the order of the day before continuing with the journey.
“The AA supports stronger oversight, digital tracking of roadworthy tests and harsher penalties for corruption. Ensuring that every roadworthy certificate is legitimate, traceable and verifiable is essential to improving compliance.”
They concluded by saying: “The AA remains firm in advocating for annual roadworthiness inspections. This will not only address safety concerns related to vehicle modifications but also help eliminate unroadworthy vehicles and combat corruption. Road safety should never be compromised.”