SAPS urge motorists to observe the rules of the road and to exercise patience and courtesy

With the Easter holidays just a week away, the South African Police Service (SAPS) will be heightening its crime-fighting efforts with the launch of ‘Operation Paseka’. This safety campaign has a duel focus of clamping down on opportunistic crime and road safety during this period.

The Easter weekend is a peak season when people embark on road trips to annual religious pilgrimages across the country or to visit friends and relatives. Traffic is at a maximum on all national routes and road fatalities peak during this time due to a range of factors. These include reckless and negligent driving, speeding, fatigue, unroadworthy vehicles and driving under the influence of alcohol and other intoxicants. This has necessitated the SAPS, in conjunction with other role players in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security cluster, to launch high visibility operations to safeguard road users and communities.

“As part of Operation Paseka, we will be pulling out all the stops to ensure that criminals have nowhere to hide. We have identified an increase in certain categories of crime and our men and women in blue will be out in full force to ensure that these Easter holidays are as safe and crime free as they can be,” says Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega.
Motorists are urged to observe the rules of the road and to exercise patience and courtesy to fellow road users.

SAPS urge motorists to observe the rules of the road and to exercise patience and courtesy

What are the Rules of the Road on wearing a helmet on a motorbike?

Question:

I purchased a 150cc scooter and obtained a cyclist helmet. I feel it is comfortable and secure under my chin, what does the law state, and where can I look up the legislation?

I have looked at the road ordinance act and it doesn’;t mention anything about helmets. Am I allowed to wear this helmet on my scooter, surely a fall from a bike or from a scooter is basically the same thing? I want to be law abiding, can you please advise me?

Answer:

The relevant regulation is regulation 207 of the National Road Traffic Regulations.

I copy the regulation for you.

Compulsory wearing of protective helmet

Reg 207.    (1)       No person shall drive or be a passenger on a motor cycle, motor tricycle or a motor quadrucycle, or be a passenger in the side-car attached to a motor cycle, on a public road, unless he or she is wearing a protective helmet—

(a)        which is specially designed for use in connection with such cycle; and

(b)        which fits him or her properly and of which the chin strap is properly fastened under the chin.

(2)        After expiry of 3 years from the date of commencement of this regulation, no person shall drive or be a passenger on a pedal cycle on a public road unless he or she is wearing a protective helmet which fits him or her properly and of which the chin straps is properly fastened under the chin. (date 5 October 2004)

(3)        The driver of a motor cycle, motor tricycle, motor quadrucycle or pedal cycle shall ensure that any passenger in or on such cycle who is younger than 14 years, complies with the provisions of subregulation (1) or (2), as the case may be.

(4)        Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulations (1) and (3), the driver and passengers of a motor cycle—

(a)        equipped with a seatbelt anchorages that comply with the requirements of standard specification SABS 1430 “Motor vehicle safety – anchorages for restraining devices in motor vehicles”, for the driver and passengers (if any);

(b)        the engine of which can not move unless the driver and passengers (if any), of the motor cycle wears the seatbelt referred to in paragraph (a); and

(c)        that complies with the requirements of annex II of the standard specification SABS 1440 “Motor vehicle safety – The steering mechanism of motor vehicles (M₁ only) – behaviour on impact,

may drive or be passengers on such motor cycle on a public road while not wearing a protective helmet.

;

Alta Swanepoel & Associates

What are the Rules of the Road on wearing a helmet on a motorbike?

What does the Rules of the Road require on visibility and distance a driver must see ahead?

Question:

My truck, abnormal vehicle, was driving on the N11 and was stopped by a traffic officer claiming visibility is poor. The driver in turn claimed he could see well ahead of him. Now how far must the driver be able to see, or is it about other vehicles seeing him from behind?

Your kind response would be appreciated.

Answer:

I assume one of the conditions of the permit was that the vehicle must pull over in poor visibility.

The only provision is reg 157 that deals with the distance a person must be able to see before he must switch his head lamps on.

Vehicles to be equipped with certain lamps and times when certain lamps to be lighted

Reg 157.     (1)        No person shall operate on a public road a motor vehicle unless—

(a)        all lamps fitted to a motor vehicle as contemplated in regulations 159 to 184 inclusive, are undamaged, properly secured, and capable of being lighted at all times; and

(b)        the head lamps, rear lamps and number plate lamps are kept lighted during the period between sunset and sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable weather conditions, persons and vehicles upon the public road are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres: Provided that the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to a motor vehicle parked off the roadway of a public road or in a parking place demarcated by appropriate road traffic signs or within a distance of 12 metres from a lighted street lamp illuminating the public road on which such vehicle is parked.

(2)        No person shall operate on a public road a motor cycle, a motor cycle with a side car, a motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle, unless the headlamp of such vehicle is lighted at all times: Provided that the provisions of this subregulation shall not apply to a motor cycle, motor cycle with side car, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle manufactured before 31 December 1960 which is used only during the period from sunrise to sunset.

(3)        A person operating a motor vehicle on a public road shall extinguish the main‑beam of the light emitted by the head lamp of such vehicle if such main-beam could cause a dangerous glare to oncoming traffic.

Alta

Alta Swanepoel & Associates

Also view:

Lighting, Head Lamps and Spot Lights on Vehicles and Rules of the Road

Lighting and Safe Driving

What does the Rules of the Road require on visibility and distance a driver must see ahead?

What does the Rules of the Road require on visibility and distance a driver must see ahead?

Question:

My truck, abnormal vehicle, was driving on the N11 and was stopped by a traffic officer claiming visibility is poor. The driver in turn claimed he could see well ahead of him. Now how far must the driver be able to see, or is it about other vehicles seeing him from behind?

Your kind response would be appreciated.

Answer:

I assume one of the conditions of the permit was that the vehicle must pull over in poor visibility.

The only provision is reg 157 that deals with the distance a person must be able to see before he must switch his head lamps on.

Vehicles to be equipped with certain lamps and times when certain lamps to be lighted

Reg 157.     (1)        No person shall operate on a public road a motor vehicle unless—

(a)        all lamps fitted to a motor vehicle as contemplated in regulations 159 to 184 inclusive, are undamaged, properly secured, and capable of being lighted at all times; and

(b)        the head lamps, rear lamps and number plate lamps are kept lighted during the period between sunset and sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable weather conditions, persons and vehicles upon the public road are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres: Provided that the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to a motor vehicle parked off the roadway of a public road or in a parking place demarcated by appropriate road traffic signs or within a distance of 12 metres from a lighted street lamp illuminating the public road on which such vehicle is parked.

(2)        No person shall operate on a public road a motor cycle, a motor cycle with a side car, a motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle, unless the headlamp of such vehicle is lighted at all times: Provided that the provisions of this subregulation shall not apply to a motor cycle, motor cycle with side car, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle manufactured before 31 December 1960 which is used only during the period from sunrise to sunset.

(3)        A person operating a motor vehicle on a public road shall extinguish the main‑beam of the light emitted by the head lamp of such vehicle if such main-beam could cause a dangerous glare to oncoming traffic.

Alta

Alta Swanepoel & Associates

Also view:

Lighting, Head Lamps and Spot Lights on Vehicles and Rules of the Road

Lighting and Safe Driving

What does the Rules of the Road require on visibility and distance a driver must see ahead?

What does the Rules of the Road require on visibility and distance a driver must see ahead?

Question:

My truck, abnormal vehicle, was driving on the N11 and was stopped by a traffic officer claiming visibility is poor. The driver in turn claimed he could see well ahead of him. Now how far must the driver be able to see, or is it about other vehicles seeing him from behind?

Your kind response would be appreciated.

Answer:

I assume one of the conditions of the permit was that the vehicle must pull over in poor visibility.

The only provision is reg 157 that deals with the distance a person must be able to see before he must switch his head lamps on.

Vehicles to be equipped with certain lamps and times when certain lamps to be lighted

Reg 157.     (1)        No person shall operate on a public road a motor vehicle unless—

(a)        all lamps fitted to a motor vehicle as contemplated in regulations 159 to 184 inclusive, are undamaged, properly secured, and capable of being lighted at all times; and

(b)        the head lamps, rear lamps and number plate lamps are kept lighted during the period between sunset and sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable weather conditions, persons and vehicles upon the public road are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres: Provided that the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to a motor vehicle parked off the roadway of a public road or in a parking place demarcated by appropriate road traffic signs or within a distance of 12 metres from a lighted street lamp illuminating the public road on which such vehicle is parked.

(2)        No person shall operate on a public road a motor cycle, a motor cycle with a side car, a motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle, unless the headlamp of such vehicle is lighted at all times: Provided that the provisions of this subregulation shall not apply to a motor cycle, motor cycle with side car, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle manufactured before 31 December 1960 which is used only during the period from sunrise to sunset.

(3)        A person operating a motor vehicle on a public road shall extinguish the main‑beam of the light emitted by the head lamp of such vehicle if such main-beam could cause a dangerous glare to oncoming traffic.

Alta

Alta Swanepoel & Associates

Also view:

Lighting, Head Lamps and Spot Lights on Vehicles and Rules of the Road

Lighting and Safe Driving

What does the Rules of the Road require on visibility and distance a driver must see ahead?

Rules of the Road: Your view when driving to vehicles behind you should be unobstucted to be legal!

Driving view to be unobstructed

Reg 204.               (1)          No person shall operate on a public road a motor

vehicle—

(a)          which is not so constructed and maintained as to afford the driver thereof a full and clear view of the roadway ahead and to his or her right and left when the vehicle is in use;

(b)          which is not fitted with a rear-view mirror or mirrors enabling the driver of such vehicle, when he or she is in the driving position, to see in clear weather a clear reflection of traffic to the rear: Provided that the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply in respect of a tractor;

(c)           which is a motor car, minibus, bus or goods vehicle, the gross

vehicle mass of which does not exceed 3 500 kilograms and which, according to the registration certificate thereof, was registered for the first time on or after 1 January 1987, unless it is fitted with an exterior rear-view mirror on the driving side and an interior rear-view mirror: Provided that where the interior rear-view mirror does not enable the driver, when he or she is in the driving position, to see in clear weather, a clear reflection of traffic to the rear, an additional exterior rear-view mirror shall be fitted on the side opposite to the driving seat and in such a case it shall not be necessary to fit an interior rear-view mirror;

(d)          which is a mini bus, bus or goods vehicle, the gross vehicle mass of which exceeds 3 500 kilograms and which, according to the registration certificate thereof, was registered for the first time on or after 1 January 1987, unless it is fitted with an exterior rear-view mirror on the driving side and an exterior rear-view mirror on the side opposite to the driving seat; or

(e)          which is a motor cycle, a motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle unless it is fitted with a rear-view mirror on the right side of the handlebars thereof, and such cycle shall also be fitted with a rear-view mirror on the left side of its handlebars.

(2)          Every rear-view mirror of a motor vehicle—

(a)          which—

(i)            is a motor car, minibus, bus or goods vehicle, the gross vehicle mass of which does not exceed 3 500 kilograms and which, according to the registration certificate thereof, was registered for the first time on or after 1 January 1976; or

(ii)           is a minibus, bus or a goods vehicle, the gross vehicle mass of which exceeds 3 500 kilograms and which, according to the registration certificate thereof, was registered for the first time during the period 1 January 1976 to 31 December 1986, shall be either flat or spherically convex and have an average radius of curvature of not less than one comma 2 metres; or

(b)          contemplated in subregulation (1)(d) shall be either flat or spherically convex and have an average radius or curvature of not less than one comma 8 metres.

;

Alta

Alta Swanepoel & Associates

Rules of the Road: Your view when driving to vehicles behind you should be unobstucted to be legal!

Death of the tax disc – how will the new tax disc rules affect you?

The end is nigh for the paper tax disc.

From October 1 you’ll no longer be necessary to display a single on your windscreen – but you will nevertheless have to spend vehicle tax in the same way, and your auto will be recorded on the electronic automobile register – you just will not be issued with a paper disc.

The cause we’re witnessing the death of the tax disc following virtually 25 years is since the DVLA and police now use the electronic car register to check if a car is taxed and so a paper disc is no longer necessary.

So what will the new tax disc guidelines will mean for you? Here’s a DVLA Q&A…

New tax disc rules Q&A

How will I know if my car is taxed?

You can verify the tax status of any automobile, and how significantly tax is levied on a distinct vehicle, using the DVLA’s Car Enquiry System.

Will I still get a reminder when my car tax is due to run out?

Yes, there will be no change to the concern of the Renewal Reminder (V11s and V85/1s)

Will I nevertheless be in a position to tax my car at the Post Office?

Yes, if you want to spend for your vehicle tax at your neighborhood Post Workplace branch, you will nonetheless be in a position to but you will not be issued with a paper tax disc.

How does this function if my car is exempt from payment of vehicle tax, for instance, disabled tax class?

You will nevertheless have to apply for vehicle tax as typical, even if your automobile is in the disabled tax class. The only alter is you will not be issued with a paper tax disc.

What if I need to have a tax disc to get a parking permit/vehicle parking space?

All regional authorities will be conscious of the alter to law where tax discs will no longer be obtainable.

Will this lead to much more men and women not paying their vehicle tax?

DVLA and the police take enforcement straight from the automobile register, and the further details held by the insurance market and Driver Automobile Standards Agency (DVSA) indicates electronic checks can also be produced on whether a vehicle has a valid insurance coverage and MoT certificate.

In addition, the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology signifies all vehicles can be spot-checked from distance and any untaxed vehicle on the road can be wheel-clamped.

These enforcement measures have helped to maintain automobile tax evasion at an all-time low of around .6% and there is no proof to recommend receiving rid of the paper tax disc will trigger an boost in tax evasion.

If I’m getting a new car, will the tax still be transferred with it?

From October 1, when you get a automobile the tax will no longer be transferred along with it, meaning you will need to get new automobile tax before you can use it.

You can tax the car utilizing the New Keeper Supplement (VC5/2) part of the automobile registration certificate (V5C) on the web or by phone – 24 hours a day, 6 days a week – or through your nearby Post Office branch throughout its normal opening hours.

If I’m selling a car, how do I get a refund?

If you’re the registered keeper you will be issued with an automatic refund when you notify the DVLA you no longer want to tax the car as it has been sold, ownership transferred or the automobile has been declared off the road (SORN).

For much more information, visit www.gov.uk/dvla/nomoretaxdisc.

Death of the tax disc – how will the new tax disc rules affect you?