April vehicle sales affected by public holidays

In amplification of the new vehicle sales statistics for the month of April, 2015 – released today for public consumption on the website of the Department of Trade & Industry – the Association commented that domestic new vehicle sales, particularly all categories of commercial vehicle sales, had been affected by the multiplicity and configuration of public holidays during the month. Supported by incentive packages, new car sales had held up relatively well. Continued strong growth in new vehicle exports had continued during the month.

In the event, April 2015 aggregate new vehicle sales at 44 503 units were slightly down from the 46 016 vehicles sold in April last year. Overall, out of the total reported Industry sales of 44 503 vehicles, an estimated 38 780 units or 87.2% represented dealer sales, 6.3% constituted sales to government, 4.2% to industry corporate fleets and 2.3% represented sales to the vehicle rental industry.

The April, 2015 new car market at 30 184 units reflected a decline of 594 units or a fall of 1.9% compared to the 30 778 new cars sold in April last year. Intense competition in a challenging, difficult tradingenvironment had resulted in incentive packages to promote new vehicle sales. Furthermore, a modestrecovery in the used vehicle market had also been noticed.

Domestic sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini buses during April, 2015 at 12 077 units reflected a decline of 774 units or a fall of 6.0% compared to the 12 851 light commercial vehiclessold during the corresponding month last year.

Sales of vehicles in the investment-driven medium and heavy truck segments of the Industry had registered declines. Medium commercial vehicle sales at 777 units and heavy commercial vehicle sales at1 465 units, reflected a fall of 38 units or 4.7% in the case of medium commercials, and a decline of 107 vehicles or a fall of 6.8% in the case of heavy trucks and buses – compared to the corresponding month last year.

Vehicle exports had continued to contribute positively to South Africa’s current account of the balance of payments. Industry new vehicle exports at 23 615 units during April, 2015 had again registered exceptionally strong growth compared to the corresponding month last year rising by 6 813 vehicles or 40.5% relative to the 16 802 export sales in April, 2014.

Vehicle exports for 2015 were on target to improve by around 25% in volume terms to a record export number of about 325 000 for the year.

At this stage, NAAMSA continued to project marginal volume growth in domestic sales based on an assumption of a slight improvement in South Africa’s economic growth rate, relative stability in automotive industry industrial relations, stable interest rates and unchanged credit ratings.

New vehicle industry production would continue to benefit from projected higher export numbers.

[Media from NAAMSA]

Also view:

Vehicle Finance, Car Insurance and Road Safety

Buying and Selling a Vehicle – Informed decisions and the Vehicle Retailer

April vehicle sales affected by public holidays

April vehicle sales affected by public holidays

In amplification of the new vehicle sales statistics for the month of April, 2015 – released today for public consumption on the website of the Department of Trade & Industry – the Association commented that domestic new vehicle sales, particularly all categories of commercial vehicle sales, had been affected by the multiplicity and configuration of public holidays during the month. Supported by incentive packages, new car sales had held up relatively well. Continued strong growth in new vehicle exports had continued during the month.

In the event, April 2015 aggregate new vehicle sales at 44 503 units were slightly down from the 46 016 vehicles sold in April last year. Overall, out of the total reported Industry sales of 44 503 vehicles, an estimated 38 780 units or 87.2% represented dealer sales, 6.3% constituted sales to government, 4.2% to industry corporate fleets and 2.3% represented sales to the vehicle rental industry.

The April, 2015 new car market at 30 184 units reflected a decline of 594 units or a fall of 1.9% compared to the 30 778 new cars sold in April last year. Intense competition in a challenging, difficult tradingenvironment had resulted in incentive packages to promote new vehicle sales. Furthermore, a modestrecovery in the used vehicle market had also been noticed.

Domestic sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini buses during April, 2015 at 12 077 units reflected a decline of 774 units or a fall of 6.0% compared to the 12 851 light commercial vehiclessold during the corresponding month last year.

Sales of vehicles in the investment-driven medium and heavy truck segments of the Industry had registered declines. Medium commercial vehicle sales at 777 units and heavy commercial vehicle sales at1 465 units, reflected a fall of 38 units or 4.7% in the case of medium commercials, and a decline of 107 vehicles or a fall of 6.8% in the case of heavy trucks and buses – compared to the corresponding month last year.

Vehicle exports had continued to contribute positively to South Africa’s current account of the balance of payments. Industry new vehicle exports at 23 615 units during April, 2015 had again registered exceptionally strong growth compared to the corresponding month last year rising by 6 813 vehicles or 40.5% relative to the 16 802 export sales in April, 2014.

Vehicle exports for 2015 were on target to improve by around 25% in volume terms to a record export number of about 325 000 for the year.

At this stage, NAAMSA continued to project marginal volume growth in domestic sales based on an assumption of a slight improvement in South Africa’s economic growth rate, relative stability in automotive industry industrial relations, stable interest rates and unchanged credit ratings.

New vehicle industry production would continue to benefit from projected higher export numbers.

[Media from NAAMSA]

Also view:

Vehicle Finance, Car Insurance and Road Safety

Buying and Selling a Vehicle – Informed decisions and the Vehicle Retailer

April vehicle sales affected by public holidays

April vehicle sales affected by public holidays

In amplification of the new vehicle sales statistics for the month of April, 2015 – released today for public consumption on the website of the Department of Trade & Industry – the Association commented that domestic new vehicle sales, particularly all categories of commercial vehicle sales, had been affected by the multiplicity and configuration of public holidays during the month. Supported by incentive packages, new car sales had held up relatively well. Continued strong growth in new vehicle exports had continued during the month.

In the event, April 2015 aggregate new vehicle sales at 44 503 units were slightly down from the 46 016 vehicles sold in April last year. Overall, out of the total reported Industry sales of 44 503 vehicles, an estimated 38 780 units or 87.2% represented dealer sales, 6.3% constituted sales to government, 4.2% to industry corporate fleets and 2.3% represented sales to the vehicle rental industry.

The April, 2015 new car market at 30 184 units reflected a decline of 594 units or a fall of 1.9% compared to the 30 778 new cars sold in April last year. Intense competition in a challenging, difficult tradingenvironment had resulted in incentive packages to promote new vehicle sales. Furthermore, a modestrecovery in the used vehicle market had also been noticed.

Domestic sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini buses during April, 2015 at 12 077 units reflected a decline of 774 units or a fall of 6.0% compared to the 12 851 light commercial vehiclessold during the corresponding month last year.

Sales of vehicles in the investment-driven medium and heavy truck segments of the Industry had registered declines. Medium commercial vehicle sales at 777 units and heavy commercial vehicle sales at1 465 units, reflected a fall of 38 units or 4.7% in the case of medium commercials, and a decline of 107 vehicles or a fall of 6.8% in the case of heavy trucks and buses – compared to the corresponding month last year.

Vehicle exports had continued to contribute positively to South Africa’s current account of the balance of payments. Industry new vehicle exports at 23 615 units during April, 2015 had again registered exceptionally strong growth compared to the corresponding month last year rising by 6 813 vehicles or 40.5% relative to the 16 802 export sales in April, 2014.

Vehicle exports for 2015 were on target to improve by around 25% in volume terms to a record export number of about 325 000 for the year.

At this stage, NAAMSA continued to project marginal volume growth in domestic sales based on an assumption of a slight improvement in South Africa’s economic growth rate, relative stability in automotive industry industrial relations, stable interest rates and unchanged credit ratings.

New vehicle industry production would continue to benefit from projected higher export numbers.

[Media from NAAMSA]

Also view:

Vehicle Finance, Car Insurance and Road Safety

Buying and Selling a Vehicle – Informed decisions and the Vehicle Retailer

April vehicle sales affected by public holidays

April vehicle sales affected by public holidays

In amplification of the new vehicle sales statistics for the month of April, 2015 – released today for public consumption on the website of the Department of Trade & Industry – the Association commented that domestic new vehicle sales, particularly all categories of commercial vehicle sales, had been affected by the multiplicity and configuration of public holidays during the month. Supported by incentive packages, new car sales had held up relatively well. Continued strong growth in new vehicle exports had continued during the month.

In the event, April 2015 aggregate new vehicle sales at 44 503 units were slightly down from the 46 016 vehicles sold in April last year. Overall, out of the total reported Industry sales of 44 503 vehicles, an estimated 38 780 units or 87.2% represented dealer sales, 6.3% constituted sales to government, 4.2% to industry corporate fleets and 2.3% represented sales to the vehicle rental industry.

The April, 2015 new car market at 30 184 units reflected a decline of 594 units or a fall of 1.9% compared to the 30 778 new cars sold in April last year. Intense competition in a challenging, difficult tradingenvironment had resulted in incentive packages to promote new vehicle sales. Furthermore, a modestrecovery in the used vehicle market had also been noticed.

Domestic sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini buses during April, 2015 at 12 077 units reflected a decline of 774 units or a fall of 6.0% compared to the 12 851 light commercial vehiclessold during the corresponding month last year.

Sales of vehicles in the investment-driven medium and heavy truck segments of the Industry had registered declines. Medium commercial vehicle sales at 777 units and heavy commercial vehicle sales at1 465 units, reflected a fall of 38 units or 4.7% in the case of medium commercials, and a decline of 107 vehicles or a fall of 6.8% in the case of heavy trucks and buses – compared to the corresponding month last year.

Vehicle exports had continued to contribute positively to South Africa’s current account of the balance of payments. Industry new vehicle exports at 23 615 units during April, 2015 had again registered exceptionally strong growth compared to the corresponding month last year rising by 6 813 vehicles or 40.5% relative to the 16 802 export sales in April, 2014.

Vehicle exports for 2015 were on target to improve by around 25% in volume terms to a record export number of about 325 000 for the year.

At this stage, NAAMSA continued to project marginal volume growth in domestic sales based on an assumption of a slight improvement in South Africa’s economic growth rate, relative stability in automotive industry industrial relations, stable interest rates and unchanged credit ratings.

New vehicle industry production would continue to benefit from projected higher export numbers.

[Media from NAAMSA]

Also view:

Vehicle Finance, Car Insurance and Road Safety

Buying and Selling a Vehicle – Informed decisions and the Vehicle Retailer

April vehicle sales affected by public holidays

What does the law say about riding a horse on a public road?

Question:

I just want to ask a few questions.

1. May we ride our horses next to each other on a dirt road that is 5.4 at the narrowest and about 8 meters at the widest if we fall in behind each other when there is a > vehicle close to us and after the car has passed we move back next to each other?

2. Ride in the middle of the dirt road if there is no vehicle on the road (no matter where on the road we are, we are able to clearly see more than 1 kilometre down the road both ways)?

I know that the cars have more rights than us on the road, but we respect the cars and other people who are also using the road. I just know for sure about the rules and law so we can be more respectful of each other.

Answer:

Reg 313(5) is the only provision in the legislation relating to persons riding animals on the road. If you do not cause an obstruction it will be legal to ride a horse in the manner you explained.

Animal on public road

Reg 313.               (1)          Subject to the provisions of subregulation (2), no

person shall leave or allow any bovine animal, horse, ass, mule, sheep, goat, pig or ostrich to be on any section of a public road where that section is fenced or in any other manner closed along both sides, and no person shall leave such animal in a place from where it may stray onto such section of a public road.

(2)          The provisions of subregulation (1) shall not apply—

(a)          to any animal which is being ridden or is being used to draw a

vehicle along a public road; or

(b)          to any animal which is being driven from one place to another in

such manner as not to constitute a source of danger or injury to any person or vehicle using such road.

(3)          In any prosecution for a contravention of subregulation (1), it

shall, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, be presumed that any animal referred to in subregulation (1) was left or allowed to be on the section of the public road or place concerned by the owner of such animal, and a section of a public road shall be regarded as fenced or enclosed along both sides even though there is an opening providing access to such road in the fence or other enclosure.

(4)          No person shall drive any animal referred to in subregulation (1)—

(a)          along a public road during the period from sunset to sunrise, unless

a person carrying a red light visible in clear weather for a distance of at least 150 metres tends such an animal or, in the case of a flock or herd of more than 10 animals, a person tending such animals and carrying a light as aforesaid precedes and another such person carrying a light as aforesaid follows such animals; or

(b)          along a public road during any other period, unless a person

displaying in a conspicuous manner a red cloth, of not less than 300 millimetres by 300 millimetres, tends such animal or, in the case of a flock or herd of more than 10 animals, a person tending such animals and displaying a cloth as aforesaid precedes and another such person displaying a cloth as aforesaid follows such animals.

(5)          A person in charge of an animal on a public road shall tend the

animal in such a manner as not to constitute an obstruction or danger to other traffic.

(6)          A traffic officer may take charge of any animal referred to in

subregulation (1) on a public road or take such steps in respect of the animal as determined by the MEC of the province concerned.

;

Alta Swanepoel & Associates

;

What does the law say about riding a horse on a public road?

What does the law say about riding a horse on a public road?

Question:

I just want to ask a few questions.

1. May we ride our horses next to each other on a dirt road that is 5.4 at the narrowest and about 8 meters at the widest if we fall in behind each other when there is a > vehicle close to us and after the car has passed we move back next to each other?

2. Ride in the middle of the dirt road if there is no vehicle on the road (no matter where on the road we are, we are able to clearly see more than 1 kilometre down the road both ways)?

I know that the cars have more rights than us on the road, but we respect the cars and other people who are also using the road. I just know for sure about the rules and law so we can be more respectful of each other.

Answer:

Reg 313(5) is the only provision in the legislation relating to persons riding animals on the road. If you do not cause an obstruction it will be legal to ride a horse in the manner you explained.

Animal on public road

Reg 313.               (1)          Subject to the provisions of subregulation (2), no

person shall leave or allow any bovine animal, horse, ass, mule, sheep, goat, pig or ostrich to be on any section of a public road where that section is fenced or in any other manner closed along both sides, and no person shall leave such animal in a place from where it may stray onto such section of a public road.

(2)          The provisions of subregulation (1) shall not apply—

(a)          to any animal which is being ridden or is being used to draw a

vehicle along a public road; or

(b)          to any animal which is being driven from one place to another in

such manner as not to constitute a source of danger or injury to any person or vehicle using such road.

(3)          In any prosecution for a contravention of subregulation (1), it

shall, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, be presumed that any animal referred to in subregulation (1) was left or allowed to be on the section of the public road or place concerned by the owner of such animal, and a section of a public road shall be regarded as fenced or enclosed along both sides even though there is an opening providing access to such road in the fence or other enclosure.

(4)          No person shall drive any animal referred to in subregulation (1)—

(a)          along a public road during the period from sunset to sunrise, unless

a person carrying a red light visible in clear weather for a distance of at least 150 metres tends such an animal or, in the case of a flock or herd of more than 10 animals, a person tending such animals and carrying a light as aforesaid precedes and another such person carrying a light as aforesaid follows such animals; or

(b)          along a public road during any other period, unless a person

displaying in a conspicuous manner a red cloth, of not less than 300 millimetres by 300 millimetres, tends such animal or, in the case of a flock or herd of more than 10 animals, a person tending such animals and displaying a cloth as aforesaid precedes and another such person displaying a cloth as aforesaid follows such animals.

(5)          A person in charge of an animal on a public road shall tend the

animal in such a manner as not to constitute an obstruction or danger to other traffic.

(6)          A traffic officer may take charge of any animal referred to in

subregulation (1) on a public road or take such steps in respect of the animal as determined by the MEC of the province concerned.

;

Alta Swanepoel & Associates

;

What does the law say about riding a horse on a public road?

What does the law say about riding a horse on a public road?

Question:

I just want to ask a few questions.

1. May we ride our horses next to each other on a dirt road that is 5.4 at the narrowest and about 8 meters at the widest if we fall in behind each other when there is a > vehicle close to us and after the car has passed we move back next to each other?

2. Ride in the middle of the dirt road if there is no vehicle on the road (no matter where on the road we are, we are able to clearly see more than 1 kilometre down the road both ways)?

I know that the cars have more rights than us on the road, but we respect the cars and other people who are also using the road. I just know for sure about the rules and law so we can be more respectful of each other.

Answer:

Reg 313(5) is the only provision in the legislation relating to persons riding animals on the road. If you do not cause an obstruction it will be legal to ride a horse in the manner you explained.

Animal on public road

Reg 313.               (1)          Subject to the provisions of subregulation (2), no

person shall leave or allow any bovine animal, horse, ass, mule, sheep, goat, pig or ostrich to be on any section of a public road where that section is fenced or in any other manner closed along both sides, and no person shall leave such animal in a place from where it may stray onto such section of a public road.

(2)          The provisions of subregulation (1) shall not apply—

(a)          to any animal which is being ridden or is being used to draw a

vehicle along a public road; or

(b)          to any animal which is being driven from one place to another in

such manner as not to constitute a source of danger or injury to any person or vehicle using such road.

(3)          In any prosecution for a contravention of subregulation (1), it

shall, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, be presumed that any animal referred to in subregulation (1) was left or allowed to be on the section of the public road or place concerned by the owner of such animal, and a section of a public road shall be regarded as fenced or enclosed along both sides even though there is an opening providing access to such road in the fence or other enclosure.

(4)          No person shall drive any animal referred to in subregulation (1)—

(a)          along a public road during the period from sunset to sunrise, unless

a person carrying a red light visible in clear weather for a distance of at least 150 metres tends such an animal or, in the case of a flock or herd of more than 10 animals, a person tending such animals and carrying a light as aforesaid precedes and another such person carrying a light as aforesaid follows such animals; or

(b)          along a public road during any other period, unless a person

displaying in a conspicuous manner a red cloth, of not less than 300 millimetres by 300 millimetres, tends such animal or, in the case of a flock or herd of more than 10 animals, a person tending such animals and displaying a cloth as aforesaid precedes and another such person displaying a cloth as aforesaid follows such animals.

(5)          A person in charge of an animal on a public road shall tend the

animal in such a manner as not to constitute an obstruction or danger to other traffic.

(6)          A traffic officer may take charge of any animal referred to in

subregulation (1) on a public road or take such steps in respect of the animal as determined by the MEC of the province concerned.

;

Alta Swanepoel & Associates

;

What does the law say about riding a horse on a public road?

What do I need to know about driving a tractor on a public road?

Question:

Good day I am wondering if you may help me please. I am a farmer, our farms are 30km apart. We need to move equipment and tractors between the farm for seasonal operations. Our tractors are licensed along with the driver. Our problem is this. Each officer we speak to has a different version of the rules of the road.

What we want to know please is how far may we travel on the road? How wide can the equipment be and what code of license is required?
Answer:

As long as the tractor has a normal licence (not a S licence in terms of reg 21 – for tractors that are normally not used on public roads) and the driver is licensed the vehicle may travel anywhere on a public road. If the vehicle has an S licence it may only cross the road within one kilometre.

There is no exemption for a driver – he must have a licence if he drives on a public road.

If the vehicle is wider than 2.6 metres the exemptions in reg 220 and 230apply.

I copy them for you.Certain vehicles exempt from certain provisions of this Part

Reg 220.    (1)        …..

(2)        Any vehicle, including a tractor, which is not a goods vehicle and which is used solely for bona fide agricultural, horticultural, viticultural or pastoral pursuits and when operated on a public road, shall, except for the provisions of regulations 149, 149A, 151, 153, 154, 155, 156, 200, 202, 203, 204, 205, 209, 210 and 212, be excluded from the provisions of this part: Provided that—

(a)        no such vehicle shall be operated on the roadway of a public road 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 would not be clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres;

(b)        the driver of any such vehicle on the roadway of a public road shall stop such vehicle and, where possible, drive it off the roadway if it be necessary in order to allow other vehicular traffic to pass;

(c)        no such vehicle shall be operated on a freeway.

(3)       A motor vehicle manufactured before 1965 is exempt from any provisions of this Part in so far as the fitment of the equipment required in terms of this Part will alter the original design and equipment of such motor vehicle.

Certain vehicles exempt from provisions of this Part

Reg 230.    (1)        …..

(2)        Any vehicle, including a tractor, which is not a goods vehicle and which is used solely for bona fide agricultural, horticultural, viticultural or pastoral pursuits and when operated on a public road, is exempt from the provisions of this Part, except for the provisions of regulation 224: Provided that—

(a)        no such vehicle shall be operated on the roadway of a public road 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 would not be clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres;

(b)        the driver of any such vehicle on the roadway of a public road shall stop such vehicle and, where possible, drive it off the roadway if it be necessary in order to allow other vehicular traffic to pass;

(c)        where such vehicle—

(i)         exceeds the overall length prescribed in regulation 221;

(ii)        encroaches beyond half the width of the roadway except when overtaking other vehicles or crossing bridges; or

(iii)       is more than 2 comma 6 metres but less than 3 and a half metres wide,

2 flags of red cloth shall be displayed not less than 600 millimetres by 600 millimetres in such manner as to indicate its abnormal length or width and such flags shall be suspended from the vehicle transversely to the direction of travel, but the vehicle may be fitted with amber flashing lights in lieu of such flags; and

(d)        the overall width of any such vehicle shall not exceed 4 and a half metres: Provided further that when the overall width exceeds 3 and a half metres—

(i)         such vehicle shall not normally encroach beyond half the width of the roadway except when overtaking other vehicles or crossing bridges; and

(ii)        if such vehicle does encroach beyond half the width of the roadway, 2 escort vehicles with the headlamps switched on and displaying red flags of the size prescribed in paragraph (c) or amber flashing lights shall be provided, one travelling in front and one to the rear of such vehicle;

(e)        no such vehicle shall be operated on a freeway.

Alta

Alta Swanepoel & Associates

What do I need to know about driving a tractor on a public road?

What do I need to know about driving a tractor on a public road?

Question:

Good day I am wondering if you may help me please. I am a farmer, our farms are 30km apart. We need to move equipment and tractors between the farm for seasonal operations. Our tractors are licensed along with the driver. Our problem is this. Each officer we speak to has a different version of the rules of the road.

What we want to know please is how far may we travel on the road? How wide can the equipment be and what code of license is required?
Answer:

As long as the tractor has a normal licence (not a S licence in terms of reg 21 – for tractors that are normally not used on public roads) and the driver is licensed the vehicle may travel anywhere on a public road. If the vehicle has an S licence it may only cross the road within one kilometre.

There is no exemption for a driver – he must have a licence if he drives on a public road.

If the vehicle is wider than 2.6 metres the exemptions in reg 220 and 230apply.

I copy them for you.Certain vehicles exempt from certain provisions of this Part

Reg 220.    (1)        …..

(2)        Any vehicle, including a tractor, which is not a goods vehicle and which is used solely for bona fide agricultural, horticultural, viticultural or pastoral pursuits and when operated on a public road, shall, except for the provisions of regulations 149, 149A, 151, 153, 154, 155, 156, 200, 202, 203, 204, 205, 209, 210 and 212, be excluded from the provisions of this part: Provided that—

(a)        no such vehicle shall be operated on the roadway of a public road 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 would not be clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres;

(b)        the driver of any such vehicle on the roadway of a public road shall stop such vehicle and, where possible, drive it off the roadway if it be necessary in order to allow other vehicular traffic to pass;

(c)        no such vehicle shall be operated on a freeway.

(3)       A motor vehicle manufactured before 1965 is exempt from any provisions of this Part in so far as the fitment of the equipment required in terms of this Part will alter the original design and equipment of such motor vehicle.

Certain vehicles exempt from provisions of this Part

Reg 230.    (1)        …..

(2)        Any vehicle, including a tractor, which is not a goods vehicle and which is used solely for bona fide agricultural, horticultural, viticultural or pastoral pursuits and when operated on a public road, is exempt from the provisions of this Part, except for the provisions of regulation 224: Provided that—

(a)        no such vehicle shall be operated on the roadway of a public road 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 would not be clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres;

(b)        the driver of any such vehicle on the roadway of a public road shall stop such vehicle and, where possible, drive it off the roadway if it be necessary in order to allow other vehicular traffic to pass;

(c)        where such vehicle—

(i)         exceeds the overall length prescribed in regulation 221;

(ii)        encroaches beyond half the width of the roadway except when overtaking other vehicles or crossing bridges; or

(iii)       is more than 2 comma 6 metres but less than 3 and a half metres wide,

2 flags of red cloth shall be displayed not less than 600 millimetres by 600 millimetres in such manner as to indicate its abnormal length or width and such flags shall be suspended from the vehicle transversely to the direction of travel, but the vehicle may be fitted with amber flashing lights in lieu of such flags; and

(d)        the overall width of any such vehicle shall not exceed 4 and a half metres: Provided further that when the overall width exceeds 3 and a half metres—

(i)         such vehicle shall not normally encroach beyond half the width of the roadway except when overtaking other vehicles or crossing bridges; and

(ii)        if such vehicle does encroach beyond half the width of the roadway, 2 escort vehicles with the headlamps switched on and displaying red flags of the size prescribed in paragraph (c) or amber flashing lights shall be provided, one travelling in front and one to the rear of such vehicle;

(e)        no such vehicle shall be operated on a freeway.

Alta

Alta Swanepoel & Associates

What do I need to know about driving a tractor on a public road?

Both your tractor and the tractor driver must be licensed to cross a public road!

Question:

Tractor crossing main road – unlicensed driver

What is the law if a farmer has a farm on both sides of a national road – if his tractor has to cross the road. Previously the tractor (with unlicensed driver) could cross or use the road for short a distance on either side of the gate. What is that distance and is there a new ordinance. The farm is in KZN
Answer:

Unfortunately that has never been the case. Drivers are not exempt from the driving licence. The tractor may have a special licence that normally does not allow him to drive on a public road. the one km is applicable to the tractor crossing and not the driver. They may never be on the road without a licence.

Alta Swanepoel

;

Both your tractor and the tractor driver must be licensed to cross a public road!

Both your tractor and the tractor driver must be licensed to cross a public road!

Question:

Tractor crossing main road – unlicensed driver

What is the law if a farmer has a farm on both sides of a national road – if his tractor has to cross the road. Previously the tractor (with unlicensed driver) could cross or use the road for short a distance on either side of the gate. What is that distance and is there a new ordinance. The farm is in KZN
Answer:

Unfortunately that has never been the case. Drivers are not exempt from the driving licence. The tractor may have a special licence that normally does not allow him to drive on a public road. the one km is applicable to the tractor crossing and not the driver. They may never be on the road without a licence.

Alta Swanepoel

;

Both your tractor and the tractor driver must be licensed to cross a public road!

Both your tractor and the tractor driver must be licensed to cross a public road!

Question:

Tractor crossing main road – unlicensed driver

What is the law if a farmer has a farm on both sides of a national road – if his tractor has to cross the road. Previously the tractor (with unlicensed driver) could cross or use the road for short a distance on either side of the gate. What is that distance and is there a new ordinance. The farm is in KZN
Answer:

Unfortunately that has never been the case. Drivers are not exempt from the driving licence. The tractor may have a special licence that normally does not allow him to drive on a public road. the one km is applicable to the tractor crossing and not the driver. They may never be on the road without a licence.

Alta Swanepoel

;

Both your tractor and the tractor driver must be licensed to cross a public road!

Both your tractor and the tractor driver must be licensed to cross a public road!

Question:

Tractor crossing main road – unlicensed driver

What is the law if a farmer has a farm on both sides of a national road – if his tractor has to cross the road. Previously the tractor (with unlicensed driver) could cross or use the road for short a distance on either side of the gate. What is that distance and is there a new ordinance. The farm is in KZN
Answer:

Unfortunately that has never been the case. Drivers are not exempt from the driving licence. The tractor may have a special licence that normally does not allow him to drive on a public road. the one km is applicable to the tractor crossing and not the driver. They may never be on the road without a licence.

Alta Swanepoel

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Both your tractor and the tractor driver must be licensed to cross a public road!

Both your tractor and the tractor driver must be licensed to cross a public road!

Question:

Tractor crossing main road – unlicensed driver

What is the law if a farmer has a farm on both sides of a national road – if his tractor has to cross the road. Previously the tractor (with unlicensed driver) could cross or use the road for short a distance on either side of the gate. What is that distance and is there a new ordinance. The farm is in KZN
Answer:

Unfortunately that has never been the case. Drivers are not exempt from the driving licence. The tractor may have a special licence that normally does not allow him to drive on a public road. the one km is applicable to the tractor crossing and not the driver. They may never be on the road without a licence.

Alta Swanepoel

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Both your tractor and the tractor driver must be licensed to cross a public road!

Charge! Public sector bids for ULEV funding

Police vehicles, fire engines and ambulances could all quickly be powered by electrical energy – if the government gets its way.

The NHS, the fire service and the police are amongst the 35 or so public sector organisations getting asked to bid for a share of a new £5 million funding scheme to support ultra-low emission autos (ULEVs).

Announced by Baroness Kramer, transport minister, the scheme will offer you profitable organisations a fully funded fleet evaluation to recognize how to introduce greener vehicles.

“We want the public sector to lead by example,” she mentioned.  “This £5 million investment will see a significant enhance in the number of plug-in vehicles employed by public bodies such as local authorities, police forces and the NHS.”

Civil actions

The government’s public sector ULEV scheme has been around considering that final year.

Fifteen government departments took component in the first phase, and around 150 electric and plug-in hybrid cars will start entering their fleets from next month as a outcome.

It is hoped this second phase will see far more than 200 a lot more plug-in vehicles added to the fleets of a variety of public sector organisations – like the emergency solutions.

Thin green line

You might locate the idea of an electric police automobile bizarre – but an electric fire engine? Genuinely?

But the fact is, attitudes to ‘alternative’ fuel cars need to have to modify, as plug-in cars look set to grow to be commonplace on our roads more than the subsequent few years – with overall performance and range turn out to be much less significant all the time.

Consider this: the quantity of ULEVs bought in the UK last year was 4 instances higher than the total for 2013.

And it looks to set to continue to rise, with makers such as Audi, Volkswagen, Nissan and Renault supporting the “Go Ultra Low” campaign.

Public service

The government is also undertaking its best to ensure more road users select electric or plug-in hybrid cars.

In April final year, for instance, it announced £500 million of fresh ULEV funding, with £200 million earmarked for the Plug-in Automobile Grant that knocks up to £5,000 off the price of a qualifying vehicle.

(Or de facto adds £5,000 to the list price tag of stated automobiles, depending on your perspective…)

The fund also includes:

– £100 million for investigation and improvement

– £32 million to generate a lot more chargepoints for electric vehicle users, and

– £20 million to encourage taxi drivers to choose ULEVs.

Even nearby buses could soon go electric, with another £30 million set aside to increase the low-emission bus market place.

Charge! Public sector bids for ULEV funding

A quad bike must be loaded onto a trailer when transported on public roads

Question:

I have Quad Bike Query. I accept they cannot be ridden on public roads – No Problem.

I have bought a quad bike with Rear light,turning lights front and back and also headlights (hi and Low beam) plus many extras

The manufacturer fitted a steel Shaft that can be used for a TOW-Ball and can be connected as a Tow-Hitch. I can safely lift 2 wheels from the road surface and securely connect the ATV to my vehicle tow-bar. Is it possible for me (After I register the Vehicle)to license my ATV as a trailer or any appropriate Name?)    I can then safely and legally tow the ATV on a public road within the rules of towing as prescribed by Law.  When done correctly there is no real difference between towing a trailer or car or Towing an ATV (Folks still tow their ‘Beach buggies’;?)       I would appreciate your comments and input.

Answer:

You are not allowed to register and licence the quad at all and will have to load the entire vehicle onto a trailer to be able to transport it.

Alta Swanepoel & Associates

Also view:

Quad Bike Safety

Towing a Trailer Safely

A quad bike must be loaded onto a trailer when transported on public roads

What are the General duties of drivers or passengers of a vehicle on a public road?

Question: Is Regulation 308(1)h promulgated under Act 93 of 1996 still applicable? I see that it may have been substituted by r66 GNR 1341 w.e.f 25 September 2003 ( which I cannot find or verify).

Answer: 

Yes it is applicable. The wording was just updated.

Regulation 308: General duties of driver or passenger of vehicle on public road

(1)  No person driving or having a vehicle on a public road shall—

(a)          cause such vehicle to travel backwards unless it can be done in safety, or cause it to run backwards for a distance or time longer than may be necessary for the safety or reasonable convenience of any occupant of that vehicle or of other traffic on such road; or

(b)          follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent having regard to the speed of such other vehicle and the traffic on and the condition of the roadway, or more closely than is prescribed in these regulations;

(c)           permit any person, animal or object to occupy any position in or on such vehicle which may prevent the driver thereof from exercising complete control over the movements of the vehicle or signalling his or her intention of stopping, slowing down or changing direction;

(d)          when driving such vehicle, permit any person to take hold of or interfere with the steering or operating mechanism of the vehicle;

(e)          when driving such vehicle, occupy such position that he or she does not have complete control over the vehicle or does not have a full view of the roadway and the traffic ahead of such vehicle.

( f )         allow such vehicle to remain unattended on such road without setting its brake or adopting such other method as will effectively prevent the vehicle from moving from the position in which it is left;

(g)          if such vehicle is parked or is stationary at the side of such road, drive the vehicle from that position unless he or she is able to do so without interfering with moving traffic approaching from any direction and with safety to himself or herself and others;

(h)          fail to give an immediate and absolute right of way to a vehicle sounding a device or bell or displaying an identification lamp in terms of section 58 (3) or 60 or regulation 176; [Para. (h) substituted by r. 66, GNR.1341 w.e.f. 25 September 2003.]

(i)            allow any portion of his or her body to protrude beyond such vehicle while it is in motion on such road except for the purpose of giving any hand signal which he or she is required or authorised to give in terms of these regulations or unless he or she is engaged in examining or testing or parking such vehicle;

( j)          permit any person or animal to occupy the roof, any step or running board or any other place on top of a vehicle while such vehicle is in motion;

(k)          cause or allow the engine thereof to run in such manner that it emits smoke or fumes which would not be emitted if the engine were in good condition or ran in an efficient manner;

(l)            cause or allow the engine thereof to run while the motor vehicle is stationary and unattended;

(m)         negligently or willfully deposit or cause or permit to be deposited any petrol or other liquid fuel or any oil or grease or other flammable or offensive matter, ashes or other refuse, of whatever nature, from such vehicle upon or alongside such road; or

(n)          cause or allow the engine thereof to run while petrol or other flammable fuel is being delivered into the fuel tank of such vehicle, or cause or allow such engine to be started up before the delivery of the petrol or other flammable fuel into the fuel tank of such vehicle has been completed and the cover of such fuel tank has been replaced.

(2)  No person, other than the driver, shall take hold of or interfere with the steering or operating mechanism of a vehicle while it is in motion on a public road, unless it may reasonably be inferred that the driver is no longer capable of steering or controlling such vehicle.

(3)  No passenger in a vehicle on a public road shall permit any part of his or her body to protrude beyond such vehicle.

(4)  No person shall enter or alight from any vehicle on a public road unless such vehicle is stationary and unless he or she can do so with safety to himself or herself and other users of the road.

(5)  No person shall drive, pull or push a vehicle upon a sidewalk: Provided that the provisions of this subregulation shall not apply to a perambulator, invalid chair, baby cart or child’s play vehicle.

;

Alta

Alta Swanepoel & Associates

What are the General duties of drivers or passengers of a vehicle on a public road?

Is it illegal to skateboard on public roads in Cape Town?

Question:

Can you please tell me if it is illegal in terms of locaal Municipal bylaws, or the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 96, to skateboard on public roads? This is in the Western Cape I am referring to.

Answer:

There is a by-law in the City of Cape Town which prohibits skateboarding except in those areas that have been approved by the Municipality. I can add that there is currently a task team which is reviewing this and in all probability there will be new parameters set which allows for the broader use of skateboards.

Is it illegal to skateboard on public roads in Cape Town?

Is it illegal to skateboard on public roads in Cape Town?

Question:

Can you please tell me if it is illegal in terms of locaal Municipal bylaws, or the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 96, to skateboard on public roads? This is in the Western Cape I am referring to.

Answer:

There is a by-law in the City of Cape Town which prohibits skateboarding except in those areas that have been approved by the Municipality. I can add that there is currently a task team which is reviewing this and in all probability there will be new parameters set which allows for the broader use of skateboards.

Is it illegal to skateboard on public roads in Cape Town?

Public back curbs on new drivers

2/7/2014

By Peter Woodman

2-thirds of the public would like to see restrictions placed on recently certified young drivers, according to an RAC Foundation survey. 

Even 2 in 5 young drivers would back a kind of graduated licensing, the poll identified.

These surveyed had been asked regardless of whether restrictions, possibly lasting 12 months right after a driving test has been passed, must be placed on drivers aged 24 or beneath.

In the poll, of 2,101 adults, 66% showed help for limits on the quantity of passengers newly-certified young drivers could carry and 61% backed a ban on them driving between midnight and 5am.

Whilst 32% of young drivers oppose graduated licensing, 41% assistance some kind of it.

Almost one particular in 8 road casualties brought on by drivers aged 17 to 19

The poll also identified:

• 83% of those surveyed regard young drivers being involved in road accidents as a issue. This compares with 52% who regard older drivers in accidents as a issue


• 71% agreed that politicians should give far more interest to road safety


• 64% of parents say they would make sure their youngsters complied with a graduated licensing system.

Figures have shown that practically 1 in 8 of all road casualties is hurt or killed in collisions involving a auto driver aged 17 to 19. That is in spite of this age group producing up significantly less than one in 60 of all licensed drivers.

Based on the knowledge of other countries exactly where graduated licensing is in operation, a preceding report for the RAC Foundation by the Transport Investigation Laboratory concluded that if such a program was introduced in Britain about 4,500 fewer folks would be hurt in an average year.

This involves about 430 folks who would otherwise have been killed or seriously injured.

“Issue of young driver safety need to be addressed”

RAC Foundation director Professor Stephen Glaister stated: “Just a handful of days ago we saw that deaths on Britain’;s roads had fallen again.

“But the rate of decline more than current years has slowed and the problem of young driver safety is one particular of these matters that need to be addressed.”

He went on: “We now know there is a excellent deal of support for it amongst the British public. What we never know is why ministers have not acted. The present Government has repeatedly promised a green paper on young driver safety and repeatedly failed to generate it.

“If there had been any other location of public overall health policy exactly where this level of harm was taking spot there would be an outcry, however as a nation we seem to accept what is taking place to many of our young men and women when they get behind the wheel.”

Public back curbs on new drivers