Question

Please assist with who can use a weighbridge and list of locations. I need to weigh my trailer but don't know where to or what the legal limit is.

Answer

The weighbridges are divided into two groups: those operated by provincial / local traffic police and those by private concerns. It is difficult to ascertain what type of trailer you have from your email - are you talking about a small "Venter" style trailer or something bigger. The easiest way to do this is to go to a weighbridge ( I see your telephone number starts with 011 so try on the N3 ie before Heidelberg) and ask the personnel to assist you. Detail to them what and why you want to do as such. Private weighbridges are found at testing stations - found in phone book. Ask them if they have one and what the cost would be.

Question

I am a competitive cyclist and I commute to work. Do you know what the traffic rules state with regards to cycling on the left of the lane. If I am turning right at an intersection and don't want to be riding on a fine line between cars wooshing past on my left and those also turning right, am I legally allowed to take the middle section of the lane to protect myself. Secondly, when there in no yellow line space, how far into the lane am I legally allowed to ride. Thank you for your good work

Answer

Within the Road Traffic Act a pedal cycle is seen as a "vehicle" in its own right and has to obey the same rules of the road (keep left, signal when turning and is not allowed on freeways or on paths specifically marked for pedestrians or must be ridden on a path specifically marked for cycles). Yes - you can move to the centre of the lane (just as motorcycles used to do) to protect yourself when wishing to turn right. A pedal cycle does not need licensing and has not been subjected to roadworthy conditions of late - but do ensure that you are visible (and take whatever precautions necessary to be highly visible). You must also use hand signals to indicate turning, etc.

Question

I'm not sure if you are able to assist or can refer me to the appropriate person, but driving between Port Elizabeth and East London I hit a huge pothole and was lucky that I didn't have a blow out (probably because I was not driving too fast). I was unable to swerve to avoid the pothole because there was a tiny shoulder on the road and moving into the other lane would've resulted in a head on collision with the oncoming vehicle. In order to avoid a head on collision, I stayed in my own lane and had to drive over the pothole. As a result of this, I had to replace my tyre and also have my wheel rim repaired. The total cost came to approx. R1000 and I was wondering how I could go about claiming this back? I feel that it is only fair that I be reimbursed this amount as the state of the road caused the damage to my vehicle and was not driver error. As mentioned previously, had I swerved to avoid the pothole, there may have been a fatal head on collision. I will be happy to submit certified copies of the invoices for my replacement tyre and the cost of the rim repair. Your assistance or advice on the matter would be greatly appreciated.

Answer

All claims are addressed to SANRAL if the road is a national route (ie N9) or to a province if the route is an R route or local council if within a municipality or major route not provincially designated

Question

I have a female owned company that provides chauffeur services to dignitaries. I would like to know the operational requirements for these services.

Answer

You will require a PrDP if you offer these services for gain (apply at you local licensing authority)

Question

There is a new GPS device available called ROAD ANGEL. This device uploads the positions of speed traps/cameras on an hourly basis. Surely owning a ROAD ANGEL with a view to establishing where speed traps are so that one can break speed limits in between constitutes owning an illegal device being used to obstruct the course of justice???? Please can you advise whether this device is legal or not as the manufacturers are claiming it is. Your advice is appreciated.

Answer

The device gives you the location of law enforcement sites. This information is available in various means and in itself does not constitute a problem. The question of whether it constitutes "Defeating the ends of Justice" is a difficult issue. Some views are that, if the law enforcement speed controls are placed in positions where speed was the proven overriding contributing factor to crashes, and persons slow down due to advanced knowledge of the potential for prosecution, then the desired effect has been achieved (slower traffic in the problem area). There are those, too, who feel motorists should be prosecuted. It is interesting to determine WHO has stated that the device is legal the manufacturer / distributor. It has not been "declared" legal by the Department of Transport nor the Dept of Justice. The manufacturer has no mandate or status to declare anything legal in terms of the law. There is no reported case (to my knowledge) regarding this issue (a reported case is one that has gone the whole legal process through the court system and is then used as a definitive example in other cases of a similar or exact nature). It is important to note that traffic policing (and the related prosecution activities) are there to increase road safety, not making money. The targeted prosecution is aimed at problematic areas.

Question

Can u put space for vacancies in your departments ...National Traffic Call Centre how can one work there? Please send info if you can.

Answer

Positions in the Road Traffic Management Corporation are advertised on the major newspapers such as The Star, Sowetan, City Press and The Sunday Times. Currently there aren't any positions available but the organization will be advertising some time in the coming year. National Traffic Call Centre positions will be included. Remember to look out for ads from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), as the Call Centre is a sub-unit within the RTMC.

Question

I just want to know, if you commit a traffic offence, say you got caught by a camera for speeding, is there a timeframe in which you must receive the fine, or is it ok if you received the fine 9 months later

Answer

The Section 341 notice of offence must be sent no later than 30 calendar days after the offence was committed. Contained in Part 29 of the National prosecutors Manual). Thereafter the offence is "stale" and will not be prosecuted (by agreement through the various Deputy Public Prosecutors in the Provinces.

Question

Morning, I would like to find out, what the speed limit is for P91 in Kempton Park

Answer

Speed limits are set by Provincial and Local councils with the approval of the MEC for Transport in the Province concerned. The only way to find out is to ask the local traffic police. Generally all roads in urban areas are 60 km/h, although main roads could be set at 70, 80, or 100 km/h. Different sections of road can also have different speed restrictions.

Question

Please advise the way in which one can go about contesting the erection of booms on Bunting Road in Auckland Park preventing "Non-University" traffic from using the road.

Answer

You will need to protest / oppose the move in writing to the local municipality / council.

Question

I'm trying to locate some info on the legislation around small luggage trailers and their towing vehicles. Is the only criteria that the towing vehicle must be heavier than the loaded trailer? Reason I'm asking, there's a rumour going around that small cars (1100 and 1300) will soon be unable to tow a luggage trailer. Is this true? Or is this based on the trailer vs tow vehicle mass, that will basically forbid very small cars from towing very big caravans.

Answer

Trailers require that the drawing vehicle (ie the vehicle that tows the trailer) has a Tare greater than the GVM of the trailer in instances up to 750kg GVM for the trailer. Thereafter, braking systems have to be fitted to the trailer (with different types and combinations of braking devices / systems as the trailers become larger in size of GVM). These become compulsory in terms of stopping capability (a trailer that is heavier than the drawing vehicle will simply push the drawing vehicle). In addition, there is a power to weight ratio that is determined by the manufacturer of the drawing vehicle (ie the car / truck that will tow the trailer). This cannot be exceeded (the vehicle will not be able to move). There is no plan to forbid small cars from towing luggage trailers. If the power to weight ratio (as determined by the manufacturer) is exceeded, and you are stopped by a traffic officer, you will be prosecuted. This has been in legislation for a long time already and will remain. The practice of placing large trailers (including caravans) behind lightly powered vehicles has been illegal and will continue to be illegal. Does this answer your questions?