Transportation of Children on back of a bakkie

Question

[b][/b] How many children (approximately 10 years old) can one transport in a Ford Ranger (Double cab)? The vehicle has a canopy over the bakkie section. The children will be transported from school to sporting events. The vehicle has a load capacity of 1 ton and I have been advised that one can load the vehicle with as many children up to the weight of 1 ton. Please advise as soon as possible so that I may end my dispute with the person concerned. [b]

Answer

[/b] Including the driver of the vehicle, you may transport a total of five (05) persons (one passenger front, three passengers rear seat) as demarcated by the safety belts in the vehicle. The load area of the bakkie (light commercial vehicle) is design for carrying GOODS - not PERSONS. Should you wish to carry persons, then you would have to meet the seating and safety requirements as noted in the Road Traffic Act. These requirements deal with seats and their fixtures, width and space around them. The requirements are obviously aimed at vehicles designed to transport passengers (ie manufactured with seating capacity from the outset). It is NOT advisable to carry ANY persons in the rear load compartment. You will encounter insurance and liability issues should you have an accident and these persons are injured or killed. If you are carrying children for school events, you will need to clearly inform the parents / guardians of these children that they are being carried in the back of a bakkie (will not be in proper seats and will not be securely fastened in seatbelts).