Where legislation does not protect bikers common sense has to!

Question:

I am doing additional research of on the bike gear across Africa. I know there are certain regulations for Helmets, Hi-Vis, Personal Protective Equipment, etc. all over the world but are there any countries in Africa that have set in stone regulations? If you hear anything or know any useful resource please let me know. Thank you

Answer:

It is a sad fact that in this country (South Africa) you can ride in the nude as long as you have a helmet on your head. You might however be locked up for indecent in public, but there are no set laws stating which riding gear should be worn and when.

It is only compulsory to wear a helmet when out riding a motorcycle in SA. Other countries in Africa are no different and even more relaxed on this matter.

I quote from our National Road Traffic Act & Regulations of 1996 (very outdated)

207. Compulsory wearing of protective helmet

(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.

(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 cannot 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.

By SABS (SA Bureau of Standards) they refer to your D.O.T. and European E.C.E. standards.

This is the only law or regulation on Motorcycle Rider Gear in South Africa. Other guidelines are implemented on local level through motorcycle clubs, safety institutes and riding academies.

I hope this addresses your question.

Regards,

HEIN JONKER | Editor & Chief Instructor

Mobile: 083 7937975 | Office: 031 9038240| Fax: 0866 4898 55

Head Office: Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu Natal

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Website: www.biketalk.co.za | Blog: www.biketalk.co.za/wp

Where legislation does not protect bikers common sense has to!

Where legislation does not protect bikers common sense has to!

Question:

I am doing additional research of on the bike gear across Africa. I know there are certain regulations for Helmets, Hi-Vis, Personal Protective Equipment, etc. all over the world but are there any countries in Africa that have set in stone regulations? If you hear anything or know any useful resource please let me know. Thank you

Answer:

It is a sad fact that in this country (South Africa) you can ride in the nude as long as you have a helmet on your head. You might however be locked up for indecent in public, but there are no set laws stating which riding gear should be worn and when.

It is only compulsory to wear a helmet when out riding a motorcycle in SA. Other countries in Africa are no different and even more relaxed on this matter.

I quote from our National Road Traffic Act & Regulations of 1996 (very outdated)

207. Compulsory wearing of protective helmet

(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.

(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 cannot 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.

By SABS (SA Bureau of Standards) they refer to your D.O.T. and European E.C.E. standards.

This is the only law or regulation on Motorcycle Rider Gear in South Africa. Other guidelines are implemented on local level through motorcycle clubs, safety institutes and riding academies.

I hope this addresses your question.

Regards,

HEIN JONKER | Editor & Chief Instructor

Mobile: 083 7937975 | Office: 031 9038240| Fax: 0866 4898 55

Head Office: Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu Natal

;

Website: www.biketalk.co.za | Blog: www.biketalk.co.za/wp

Where legislation does not protect bikers common sense has to!

5 Questions which show why choosing car hire cover makes good sense

If you depend on your car on a daily basis, you may find yourself in a dilemma should it need to go to the panel beater for repairs after an accident. Insurance companies understand the inconvenience that comes with not having your car for a period of time and the high costs of hiring one to temporarily replace it. That is why there is an option to take cover for a hired car as a low-cost added-extra on your insurance policy – putting you into a hired car when you need it most.

If your car is written off, stolen or hijacked, it could be weeks until you are back in the driver’s seat. Having the car hire option on your policy means immediate relief of pressures and worries, equipping you to get on with life, like getting kids to school, going to work and doing the shopping.

These 5 questions will give you a clear idea of how to get car hire on your car insurance – and how it works.

1. When can I get a hired car?

If you have taken the car hire option on your car insurance, you’ll have access to a hired car when you lodge a claim.

Your insurance company, through a car hire company, will provide you with a hired car only if your car is:

• Damaged and is being repaired;


• Damaged and not drivable;


• Stolen or hijacked.

2. How long can I keep the car?

It’s important that you understand the period of time that your insurer will pay for the hired car. For example, at MiWay clients can select between 10, 20, 30, 45 or 60 days when taking the cover. The hired car is available for the maximum period you have selected, or until your claim is finalised if that happens before the time selected has expired.

Remember, you may not necessarily have your car repaired by the time the rental period is over. If this is the case, you are able to hire the car for longer, but at your own expense. As a MiWay client, you are able to extend your car hire after your selected rental period at a discounted rate, provided there is no break in the car hire period.

 

Tip: If your car has parts that are hard to come by, it is suggested that you select car hire for a longer period, as it could take a while for the panel beater to find the right parts to your car.

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3. What are the terms and conditions that I should know about?

Deposit and Insurance on the hired car

The deposit may be high but it is refundable once you return the hired car in the same condition you received it in from the car hire company, less e-toll fees and fuel, if applicable. You will also have to pay for running costs as well as the collection and delivery fees, if any. In the event of a claim on a hired car, you will be liable for the excess.

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Tip: Inspect the hired car very carefully when you pick it up. Note any damage, no matter how minor, to prevent being held liable upon returning it.

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4. My car broke down, can I get a hired car?

Car hire is an optional add-on cover for a specific car for which an additional premium is paid. You can only use the hired car when you have a valid claim on the car on which you took the car hire option. Mechanical and electrical failure are excluded from policy cover and are not seen as insured events, so you will not get a hired car through your insurance while your car is being attended to.

Some insurers, like MiWay, will provide you with an emergency roadside assistance benefit which will pay R500 towards a hired car if you are stranded more than 100 kilometres from your home. Be sure to check your policy schedule to see if you qualify for this MiHelp benefit.

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5. Can I get an automatic car?

If you prefer an automatic transmission, it can be specified when taking up the car hire cover with your insurance company. For drivers with special needs, car hire companies such as Avis have a limited amount of cars available.

Car hire cover with your car insurance can be a lifesaver, especially if you don’t have a second car in your household.

For more information on car insurance and car hire, visit www.miway.co.za

Also view:

Car Rental and Road Safety

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MiWay is an Authorised Financial Services Provider (Licence no: 33970)

MiWay Insurance Limited (‘MiWay’)is a direct, short-term insurance company, offering customers a range of short-term insurance products including motor, household and homeowners insurance as well as add-on products such as warranty cover and liability cover. MiWay’;s shareholder is Santam, a blue-chip JSE-listed company.

5 Questions which show why choosing car hire cover makes good sense

Tony Stewart’s NASCAR Return Confirmed for this Weekend: Yeah, That Sort of Makes Sense [Analysis]

Clearly, something was up. Every single weekend because the tragic sprint-car incident that took Kevin Ward, Jr.’s life, Tony Stewart’s PR representative, Mike Arning of Correct Speed Communication—Tony Stewart owns Correct Speed, by the way, and the organization also does PR for numerous NHRA and IMSA teams—has declined to reveal to any individual in advance regardless of whether Stewart would return to NASCAR competitors.

2 weeks ago, Arning announced that Stewart wouldn’t race at Michigan at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. This week, these of us waiting for an announcement waited and waited—practice at Atlanta Motor Speedway begins these days at 2:30 p.m., and we nonetheless hadn’t heard a peep at 4 p.m. yesterday. Who would be in the number 14 Chevrolet? Small rumors floated about. It was mentioned that Stewart’s name was on the vehicle when it was loaded into the hauler, not Regan Smith’s, who took his spot at Watkins Glen, or Jeff Burton’s, who drove the 14 at Michigan and Bristol. Another source stated that Stewart’s personalized seat had accompanied the vehicle.

Then, just after 4:30 p.m., Arning made the announcement: Stewart was racing, his 1st time out in public considering that his sprint vehicle hit and killed 20-year-old Ward, Jr., at Canandaigua Motorsports Park in upstate New York. Ward was upset following Stewart crowded him into the wall. Ward had leapt from his wrecked vehicle to confront Stewart on the track, who was driving under the caution flag at about 40 mph. The Ontario County Sheriff’s Division stated the investigation could take 2 weeks or longer we’ve passed that time frame, even so, and nevertheless have however to hear the benefits. Stewart has been in seclusion considering that. Even TMZ couldn’t find him, and they can discover anybody.

As for racing this weekend, a single has to think that Stewart’s legal group possibly received a tip that he was unlikely to be charged. Had the info stated otherwise, it is difficult to think about he would spot himself in a position for such public scrutiny.

Returning at Atlanta, then, tends to make sense. His several years driving under the banner of Atlanta-based House Depot for Joe Gibbs Racing produced him a lot of fans, and the atmosphere in Georgia is most likely a lot much more comfy and welcoming than those of Bristol, Michigan, or, for goodness’ sake, Watkins Glen, which is positioned about an hour’s drive from Canandaigua.

What does not make sense is Stewart’s press conference scheduled for today: Rather than holding one little conference or—even much better, from his standpoint—speaking to 1 reporter and letting that interview stand as the public record, Stewart is holding an open conference at the Atlanta Motor Speedway media center. And it appears likely that TMZ will uncover the door to that area.

Right away right after the conference, NASCAR president Mike Helton will speak, most likely to address regardless of whether Stewart will be eligible for the Chase for the Championship if he wins at Atlanta or Richmond, a situation so unlikely that even die-hard NASCAR grassy-knoll conspiracy theorists would be challenged to predict it. (Generally, NASCAR drivers who win 1 of the first 26 races clinch a spot in the 10-race Chase as long as they also finish amongst the top 30 in the “regular-season” driver standings.)

The guidelines specify that only NASCAR regulars who try to qualify for every race are eligible for the Chase, to avoid a “guest” driver from popping into the sport, winning a race, and then disappearing until the championship run. A clause in the guidelines says that the final choice on eligibility belongs to NASCAR, but addressing the situation before—and if—Stewart manages a win appears like self-flagellation.

The bottom line: This will not be straightforward for any individual. Regardless of what Stewart does or doesn’t say today, and regardless of what the plodding investigation guidelines, fans and observers have dug in: Some are certain Stewart did all he could to miss Ward, and some are confident Stewart didn’t intentionally hit Ward but did steer toward him to brush him back, like a big-league pitcher buzzing a batter crowding the plate.

Nevertheless other people are particular that Stewart purposefully tried to hit Ward, and there are far more of these folks than you may feel. At Motorsport.com, where I am editor-in-chief, our story announcing that Stewart would race drew much more than 300 comments in 3 hours. They variety from “WOO HOO! Glad you are back, Smoke!” to “Beyond OUTRAGED! Revenge for Kevin Ward, Jr. RIP!”

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Even if Stewart faces no criminal charges, a wrongful-death civil suit is not only attainable but probable. This story is just beginning, and for most of the media, Tony Stewart is the present that keeps on giving—an unprecedented tragedy in motorsports that could be in the news for months. There is only a single time in the subsequent handful of days that Stewart will be able to escape the scrutiny: during the 3-hour race on Sunday night. Welcome back? We’ll see.

Tony Stewart’s NASCAR Return Confirmed for this Weekend: Yeah, That Sort of Makes Sense [Analysis]