Question

I am a regular user of the R50 (Delmas Road) and on a daily basis see traffic violations - overtaking on barrier lines, tailgating, and speeding. The area where most of the traffic violations occurs is outside the jurisdiction of the Tshwane Metro. Attempts to secure traffic policing on this section of the road has been unsuccessful. Who is the competent authority to ensure effective enforcement of traffic regulations on this section of the road (Section between Rietvleiview Country Estate (Kungwini Municipality) and Wingate Park (Tshwane))

Answer

We will share this with the RTMC at this address:

Senior Executive Manager: Road Traffic Law Enforcement & Education
Road Traffic Management Corporation
Hazeldean Office Park
687 Silver Lakes Road
TIJGER VALLEY
Tel: +2712 809 5307/ 809 5291
Fax: 086 513 4580

Question

I am trying to find out what medical and/or licensing requirements there are for the elderly (over 70). What specific testing is required i.e. physical, medical, eye testing. Your response and information would be appreciated.

Answer

There are only additional medical requirements for the learner’s licence test. A form MC (medical certificate) must be completed if the applicant is over the age of 65. The form can be obtained at any DLTC and must be completed by a registered medical practitioner.

The same form is also used when the applicant wished to obtain a professional driving permit (PrDP formerly known as a PDP).

The same visual requirements apply to persons over the age of 70 as would apply to any other driver.

Also view: "Road Safety and the Elderly / Older Road Users"

Question

I read once that the laser traffic officers should be visible with a yellow reflective jacket while sitting on the side of the road trapping speeding motorists..... Is this true? As lately i have seen alot of officers with out there jackets and hiding in places not visible to the motorists. If it is possible could you please email me the rules and regulations for those officers...

Answer

Reflective jackets is a standard issue when we issue our traffic officers with uniforms and they are encouraged to wear them when they are engaged in speed timing activities for their own safety and that of other road users. If an officer choose not to wear his/her reflective jacket whilst conducting a speed timing exercise then he/she compromises his/her and this could lead to serious repercussions if the officer is involved in an incident for example workmen’s compensation act might refuse to cover medical costs. The Act states that the officer must be in full uniform attire when stopping somebody. This includes head gear but does not mention a reflective vest.

Question

Is there a need for a passanger to wear seat belt when the vehicle is parked on the side of the road and without a driver on the driver's seat? When is it a violation of law when the seat belts are not buckled up? When the car is stationary or when it is in motion?

Answer

A seat belt must be worn when the vehicle is operated on a public road. A stationery or parked vehicle is not under operation.

The following subregulations from regulation 213 specify when a seatbelt should be worn:-

(4)  No adult shall occupy a seat in a motor vehicle operated on a public road which is fitted with a seatbelt unless such person wears such seatbelt: Provided that the provisions of this regulation do not apply while reversing or moving in or out of a parking bay or area.
(5)  No adult shall occupy a seat on a row of seats in a motor vehicle opera-ted on a public road which is not fitted with a seatbelt, unless all other seats on such row which are fitted with seatbelts, are already occupied.

Therefore whenever a vehicle is operated the seatbelt (when available) should always be worn, except when the driver is reversing or moving out of a parking bay or area.

There are other legal requirements that stipulate which vehicles should always have seatbelts.

The driver shall ensure that a child uses a child restraint when available or uses the seatbelt on an unoccupied seat when available.

Question

What is the speed limit for a Toyota quantum 14 seater where the vehicle is for private use only and not for transportation for renumeration.

Answer

100 km/h applies only to mini or midibuses operating in terms of an operating licence.

Therefore the normal speeding limits for the different types of road would apply i.e. 120 for freeways, 100 km/h on a public road, other than a freeway, outside an urban area and 60km/h on a public road within an urban area. There may also be specific speeding limits for parts of a road as indication by the traffic signs.

Question

Please can you assist me. I have family coming over from the UK to SA to visit and they have a 5 year old son. I need to know: a.) Does he need a booster seat? b.) If so, can I hire one from you and at what cost? Looking forward to your reply.

Answer

South African seat belt legislation requires that all drivers and passengers over the age of three years wear seatbelts (children under three years must be in a car seat or child restraint).  Children over the age of four can use a booster seat up to the age of eleven years. Booster seats are designed to serve as a bridge from when a child is too big for a baby seat but not yet big enough to wear a safety belt.

My recommendation is that your family’s 5 year-old child MUST go into a booster seat (preferably strapped  into the back seat of the car). You can hire a booster seat from a reputable company like Baby Lite (see www.babylite.co.za). Please let us know if you have any other questions. Take care and stay safe ?

Also view: "Child Restraints and Road Safety"

Question

Are motocycles permitted to carry a flashing LED Light (Amber or Green) (Like on bicycles) to add to their visibility or is it against the law? In my opinion it should be allowed as the more visible a road user is the better.

Answer

Regulation 176 prescribes who may use an intermittently flashing light and the designated colour. Green flashing lights are reserved for people engaged in civil protection in terms of the Civil Protection Acts. Yellow flashing lights are reserved for breakdown vehicles, public service vehicles and abnormal vehicles.

Therefore it would appear that you are not allowed to add any of the two flashing lights to a motor cycle.

 

Question

I don't think this is the correct forum, but perhaps you can guide us in the right direction... We are wondering if there is a legislative requirement for operators of heave vehicles on roads, or passenger carriers, should have a compulsory psychometric assessment as part of their licencing? Is there any plan to bring in such legislation in future? Perhaps you could point us in the right direction, as we would be interested in tendering for such services.

Answer

No there is no such requirement and no there is no plan at present to introduce such a requirement.
Currently the only assessment (other than medical) is to ascertain whether the driver has had previous convictions for assault or negligent / reckless driving.

Question

Hello, i was wondering if anyone can advise if it is permitted for a heavy vehicle (6x2) truck/tractor unit that has air ride suspension as apposed to a steal suspension to tow a tri-axle trailer or similar that is on a steel suspension. ihave heard this is illegal but cannot find anywhere in the regulations that can confirm this. Am i breaking any South African road regulations by doing this. Thank you

Answer

There are no restrictions on the suspension of vehicles and the use of different types of suspension on different vehicles in a combination (apart of course from the serviceability requirements) – so the truck tractor could have steel suspension and the trailer could have rubber (or steel or air). The only requirement for suspensions is for semi-trailers where only one type of suspension may be fitted on the semi-trailer (either air OR steel OR rubber).

Question

I hope you can help us resolve this fight. We bought a 1000cc superbike and my fiance only has a learners. According to me, I've been biking my whole life so far, you HAVE to have a licence to be able to lift someone. You CAN'T lift if you only have a learners. That's what I've been taught after getting pulled over lifting a friend and I got fined!!! My fiance keeps saying that you can lift with a learners but I'm sticking to my rule until I'm proven otherwise by a legal body or someone that can tell me that it's learners or licence! I'm too afraid to ride with him because what happens if you do get into an accident with a passenger and the cops get there? will he be arrested for lifting with a learners? (I know he'll probably get arrested for having an accident in the first place these days in SA!) I hope you can help a.s.a.p. as we do breakfast runs and I can't enjoy the ride at all!!

Answer

What will the Learner's Licence authorize me to do?

You may drive on public roads (including freeways), provided you are accompanied by someone who holds a valid Driver's Licence for the class of vehicle you are driving, and who is seated next to you or, if that is not possible, then directly behind you.
Note: A learner motorcycle driver may not carry a passenger (not even the driving instructor); you are therefore permitted to ride unaccompanied.
You may carry passengers in a motor vehicle provided they do not pay a fare.
The male fiance is wrong, and Adele is correct.