Question

While I was on the road this weekend a taxi put my life and the lives of its passengers in danger on the N3 from Durban by driving 150 km/ph - during which it drove less then a second away from the rear of my car and as I let it pass it tried pushing me off the road. I have the registration number of this vehicle and I want to see the driver prosecuted. I will not include any details since I see it unnecessary and unsafe in this country. Please reply, since I am in the mind of going to the police about this matter but feel it necessary to contact this department first. [b]

Answer

You are welcome to forward the information to the Call Centre. Unfortunately, the driver cannot be prosecuted by the National Traffic Call Centre or Road Traffic Management Corporation, but a letter of notice will be sent to the vehicle owner notifying and warning the owner of the driver's behavior on the road. The incident is recorded in the Call Centre database for future reference. Alternatively, you do have a right to open a case of reckless driver behavior against the vehicle owner at your nearest SAPS or Traffic Authorities. This might ensure the possibility of prosecution. Hope you will find this information helpful.

Question

[b] [/b] I was wondering whether you could say on which side one should preferably install a baby car seat. Should it be behind the driver or behind the passenger? My question is based on my perception that side collisions probably occur more on one side of the car because of, blind spots exposure to traffic coming from the opposite side etc. [b]

Answer

The best place for a baby chair is determined by two things: a) The type of seat (some are forward facing and some are rear facing), and b) Whether you have airbags in the front. Rear seat behind front passenger is the best.

Question

[b][/b] I do not know the relevant person I should be sending this correspondence to, I wish though it will be send to the right person and appropriate actions will be taken. On 22 Sept we were driving from Jhb to Cofimvaba. As we were approaching Queenstown (plus minus 40 km to Queenstown), we were almost involved in a tragic accident. We saw a board which warns motorists that the area is a high accident zone. We approached a high rise and then a curve. As we were coming down there were two cars on the right hand side from a gravel road which were standing waiting to join the main road that we were traveling on. The first car got in which was risky but we thought the driver would give us a space by moving to the yellow line so that we can proceed and he didn’t. Then the second car drove in as well. It was too late for the driver in our car to brake as the 2nd car was already in the middle of the road and it was a curve which is difficult to apply brakes. The speed of the car we were moving at about 100. The driver had to swerve the car to avoid crashing into this car which was in the middle of the road, and also swerve to the other side to avoid crashing into the car which got in 1st and unfortunately, there was oncoming traffic in front which he had to avoid as well. That was the worst situation in my life and if we crashed into that 2nd car, it would have been a fatal accident involving four cars and most probably lives would have been lost. I wish that Arrive Alive campaign or the relevant Department or persons could take cognizance of this. I would like to believe that the fact that it is marked a high accident zone it means that accidents have occurred before. I would like to suggest that there should be speed humps to ensure that the traffic slows down as there might be cars joining the road. I think having the board which states that it’s a high accident zone is not enough, something should be done to ensure that the cars reduce the speed to 60. I am concerned that people are still going to lose their lives in that spot and I strongly feel that something should be done. We were fortunate and others may not be. Hoping you will take my suggestion into consideration. I would be happy to hear if something will be done. [b]

Answer

We at Road Traffic Management Corporation Directorate: Traffic Coordination has received your e-mail regarding the road- Jhb to Cofimvaba as a high accident zone. The above information has been sent to Mr Mabidilala the Provincial head Coordinator to do investigations on the said info you have required. We are currently waiting for his output investigations and we will definitely communicate with you on this matter.

Question

[b][/b] I actually need some advice concerning an unlicensed vehicle. Long story short - my sister bought a car in Gauteng, I am the allocated driver (KZN), the dealer said that would get and send license disk, I did the certificate of registration as well as police clearance, been faxing and phoning dealer, but they seem to be delaying sending me the disk, which means that I am driving a unlicensed vehicle. Cannot take the chance to drive up to JHB to sort this mess out. What should I do? Please I need urgent advice. [b]

Answer

Why not ask your sister to assist (if in Gauteng). Go to your local police station and make an affidavit (sworn statement) about what has happened and then lay a charge of theft of your vehicle by the dealer. That should get them to wake up. Gauteng licensing: [email protected]. You must make a sworn statement otherwise you will be held liable for licensing fees as well as be charged with driving an unlicensed vehicle and / or theft of a motor vehicle.

Question

[b][/b] On Saturday I was assisting in the running of an off road motor race around the Carnival City area of Springs. In my view all day was a traffic office assigned to control traffic at a road crossing. 1. On one occasion a vehicle stopped in the road to find out what was going on. Notwithstanding he was blocking traffic the traffic office stood and talked to him while he sat behind the steering wheel, engine running, drinking a beer! When the conversation ended the traffic office waved him on; no action taken. 2. A driver who the officer was attempting to stop cruised slowly through the road block, absolutely oblivious to what was going on around him while talking on his cell phone; no action taken. 3. A driver who was stopped at the road block was informed by the traffic officer that his seat belt strap was hanging out of the bottom of his door. The door was opened and the belt pulled back in, still not put on and he was waived through; no action taken. What hope is there for the efforts of the arrive alive team with incompetent service delivery like this? Is it what many suspect that these kinds of offences are only actioned when there is money gathering involved? [b]

Answer

The route to go is the person should (1) identify the department the officer is employed in (ie provincial, metro or municipal), (2) identify the officer and clearly state date, time and location and (3) submit a written complaint to the relevant department detailing actions and possible availability of supporting proof. We are not (at this stage) in any position to take action (whether rightly or wrongly) and would have to follow a similar process of writing to the relevant authority.

Question

I would just like to confirm at what age a child is allowed to be moved with their car chair into the front seat of a car, weather they be put rear facing or front facing. Are their any legal laws that refer to this?

Answer

There is no legislation covering this scenario. However we would suggest that the child remain in the rear seat for as long as possible as it is invariably the safest place in a car.

Question

Please advise if Arrive Alive would be interested in advertising on the back of a very affordable alcohol tester, in conjunction with one of the liquor companies as a promotional give away?

Answer

Alcohol is a huge problem on our roads especially as it claims almost half of the fatalities recorded. Most victims are pedestrians and drivers. It is true that we need to introduce measures to encourage self-testing amongst road users, as that is the most effective way to encourage responsible road use in a sustainable way. Although I am not sure of the costs involved if we are to advertise, what I would suggest is for you to brand (after we have seen the product) the product with the wording "in support of Arrive Alive". As Arrive Alive does carry lot of credibility in the eyes of the public, branding your product with the Arrive Alive logo will definitely lend some weight to your product. Wishing you success in your venture. Hoping that you will contact me so that we can see the type of product you are talking about (before we can endorse it with our branding). We will of course once we are satisfied endorse your initiative to also partner with liquor companies. Thanks once more for your initiative on such a worthy cause.

Question

I would suggest that there are more Billboard advertising of arrive alive on the roads. Not just on the long roads but also in the cities. There are more accidents in the cities because of recklessness and more fatalities as well. I know for a fact that my life was saved through one of the arrive alive boards - 'Buckle Up'. I was driving from CT to JHB with a friend. Always buckling up we stopped to get some food etc. forgot to buckle up. When we drove past the board I was reminded. 2 km further we lost control of the car. Thank you Arrive Alive.

Answer

Thanks for the observation. As required by the law (National Road Traffic Act) we encourage drivers and passengers to at all times wear their seatbelt. Seatbelts are one of the most effective ways to reduce severity of injuries and fatalities on our roads. As part of our Arrive Alive promotional campaign, the issue of wearing of seatbelt is receiving (and will continue to receive) priority attention. You will, in the not so distant future be seeing more messages emphasizing the issue. Of course, much depends on the availability of resources.

Question

We specialize in documentaries, corporate videos, commercials and feature films. We have recently cut our new show reel and would appreciate it if we could present our work to the relevant individuals at your company who might require our services.

Answer

[/b] I would suggest that you register your company and the services it offers on the departmental data base of service providers. This will enable us to quote from your company in case there are services we want to commission. In other words, the normal procurement procedures will have to be applied as we are compelled by law to get quotes from different companies. Please note that registration forms are available at our offices (Department of Transport, Forum Building, Cnr Bosman and Struben Streets, Pretoria).

Question

Is it possible to receive an Arrive Alive endorsement on a product?

Answer

[/b] I must add that Arrive Alive does not endorse a specific product - in fact manufacturers promote or market their products "in support of Arrive Alive". What needs to happen is to provide details of the product in question and thereafter the Department will determine if the product promotes road safety. If it does, it can be marketed by the manufacturer as a product "supporting Arrive Alive".