Question

I was recently stopped by a Metro police Officer in Pretoria! Well, we had a bit of a Scuffle, and he told me I had Attitude and etc.. He Approached my Car and started swearing at me...He told me that I didn't use my Flicker when turning...I had no right to put my Flicker on because it was a turning lane! My Question to You is, must a person turn his Flicker on in a Turning Lane??

Answer

A driver must always signal his / her intent to change direction or lane. Even in a dedicated turning lane - you may know what you want to do, but you cannot assume that all other drivers will be of the same impression. There is no such thing as "you had no right" to put on your indicator. I will not comment on the conduct of the officer - apart from saying that it is disgusting if those were the facts.

Question

Urgent to prevent fisticuffs. Where do I find the information that at a red flashing arrow means STOP and go when safe? My replacement (I'm retiring) says it is a YIELD sign.

Answer

A flashing red arrow at a traffic light is: Stop and turn left when safe to do so and if intersection is clear (give right of way to all vehicles and pedestrians for whom a green light is displayed). It is NOT a yield sign. The vehicle DOES NOT have right of way or entry into road. National Road Traffic Act, Act 93 of 1996. Volume I and Volume II Traffic signal S1(L)

Question

I am currently working on a follow up story to the accident on the N3 west bound involving Public Works MEC's convoy. I went through the Arrive Alive site and noticed that there existed no information on the rules and regulations for senior officials traveling in a convoy on our roads, and what constitutes an emergency and requires them to speed. The Mercury has been flooded with complaints of reckless driving by drivers of convoy's. And I do believe that the public is entitled to know why they are privileged to speed beyond the designated speed limit and push over other drivers from their lanes. Please inform me if you come across any useful information that we could use.

Answer

The National Road Traffic Act, 93 of 1996, allows traffic officers (definition includes SAPS members as well) to perform any action or to disobey the Act in the performance of their duties. This would be quite clear in terms of crossing freeways and driving down one-way roads and through red traffic lights for emergency purposes. One of their "duties" is escorting public figures (of whatever level). High speed escort is supposed to be use when there is risk to the person involved. This involves ignoring the set speed limit and using blue lights to gain freedom of movement. Although legal, the practice is up for debate.

Question

I am researching a book about facts/trivia which examines suspect or nonsense claims. I have been looking into a claim relating to a purported "driving offence", and from my initial research I am fairly certain that it is untrue, but I would be very grateful if you could assist in clarifying this, or passing this enquiry on to someone who may be able to help. The supposed offence is that it's illegal to drive (a car) in bare feet. Also, on a partly related note, I will be visiting South Africa for the first time on holiday in March (and plan to hire a car) and having searched on the Internet, I can't seem to find any compact summary of South Africa's driving regulations (i.e. something similar to the UK's Highway Code). Is something along these lines available in book and/or online form?

Answer

Driving with bare feet is not illegal neither will it be seen as reckless or negligent. Many high-heeled shoes, slip-ons and heavy boots raise an equally interesting question around control of driving pedals, etc. The only freely available material will be learner's and driver's test booklets - from book stores. The Dept is currently revising and will publish new books by June this year (in varied languages).

Question

I would like to request the setting up of a intersection in compliance with the Road Act..

Answer

Roads fall under local (councils) or provincial authorities. You need to approach the local council for this - start at the traffic authorities in the town and ask for advice there. If provincial, address the provincial traffic authorities in the region.

Question

Please tell me what does the law/best practice say about stopping in the emergency lane

Answer

The law refers to the emergency lane as a lane to the left of a solid yellow line for use in an emergency (breakdown, etc). Not for parking. Not for resting. Not all roads have emergency lanes. The aim is to remove vehicles off the road way so as not to obstruct the free flow of traffic.

Question

I would like some guide lines on how speeding fines are worked out. I Have looked all over and can't seem to find anything although there must be otherwise we would simply be fined whatever they felt like at the time. Please point me in the right direction - I would really appreciate it.

Answer

Fines are set by the various Magistrates in their Districts - not by Traffic Officers at all. They are given ranges (eg for every 10km over the limit you are charged R200). THIS IS AN EXAMPLE - the exact figures are available from each different Magistrate across the country. The Dept has been trying for three years to centralise and unify the fine structure - without much success so far. A draft standard has been developed and is awaiting the approval of Dept of Justice and the Magistrate's council

Question

I have a question regarding the legality of Laser/radar Detectors. Is this type of equipment legal in South Africa and is it allowed to be installed on a vehicle? I have checked the National Road Traffic Act and have not found any information regarding this.

Answer

Sorry. I understood that you wanted information on the equipment used by the officers !!! Not on equipment to DETECT the equipment used by police departments. My apologies - I should have read more carefully.... You may NOT use any device to detect the equipment - goes to defeating the ends of justice and / or impeding / preventing an officer from performing his / her duties. If found operating the device, you will be charged accordingly.

Question

is "Lane-Splitting" legal for motorcycles in South-Africa?

Answer

Here, in SA, this is illegal. It goes to overtaking a vehicle, and that requires indication of a change in direction, moving out (to the left or right depending on the type of road) and then accelerating past, indicating again, and moving back in front of the vehicle. Lane splitting - as per definition means squeezing between rows of vehicles. This practice is dangerous, hazardous for other road users and is illegal. When you change direction or change a lane, you must indicate your intention to do so before performing the maneuver. Swerving between vehicles, squeezing past in the same lane, riding on the lane demarcation lines is all illegal and constitutes reckless driving in any sense.

Question

I would like to find out whether there is any regulation with regards to bicycle trailers on South African roads. This includes trailers carrying children. If you cannot help, please direct me to the forum which could answer this question.

Answer

What do you mean by "bicycle trailer" ? Any vehicle towed behind a motor vehicle is defined either as a trailer, semi-trailer, caravan or piece of equipment designed to adapt something or has a specific recovery function. Bicycle trailers (I have seen some venter style trailers) must meet all the roadworthy requirements as for other trailers (ie lights, reflection, brakes, towing couplings, etc). Could you be more specific in your query (ie what is it that you want to query)? Trailers carrying children - not allowed unless the trailer has been specifically designed to carry passengers (like a semi-trailer drawn behind a truck-tractor).