Arrive Alive
      South Africa (GMT +2) Translate:   | Sitemap  | Search:  
 
Wall of Remembrance
If you have a question regarding road safety or any road related query, feel free to ask The Expert here.

Who is this Expert? The Expert will be specific knowledgeable people at the Department of Transport, Arrive Alive Communications, the Road Traffic Management Corporation or others who might have the expertise to answer the question.
Posts
 
Demerit System and email about implementation. By:JJ Smith
03-Feb-2010
Question:
Have the de-merit system been implemented yet? There is an e-mail doing the rounds that is has been as from 01 Feb 2010. it also claims that the 10km grace for speeding have fallen away and that you get find from km1 is this true?
Answer:

The demerit system has not been implemented and the email is incorrect. Will keep visitors to the Arrive Alive website updated!

Wide road with yellow lines By:JJ Smith
02-Feb-2010
Question:
In the area were I live there is many up and down hills. The road is wide with yellow lines. Why have no one considered to make the yellow line narrower and make the road duel lane on the uphills? This will eliminate yellow line driving and increase traffic flow since trucks and slower vehicles can move safely out of the way of cars.
Answer:

This needs to be taken up and liaised with the local Department of Roads / Public Works

Driving within Yellow Line By:JJ Smith
02-Feb-2010
Question:
I understand that yellow line driving is strictly speaking illegal but is allowed/overseen since it saves lives. However I understand that if a vehicle is not driving with all four wheels in the yellow line and you overtake that vehicle while vehicles is approaching it can cost you R1500 in fines even if you do not cross the centre line. Is this correct? When I pull over I never move with all four wheels in the yellow line since I feel this gives me more room for safety and more than enough space for a faster driver to overtake unhindered and safely. Might I be the reason he gets a fine?
Answer:

The Road Traffic Act does not say you must drive with all four wheels to the left of the yellow line when being overtaken. I don't know where that information came from or what the R1500 fines were for.

See my post at this forum: http://www.k53-test.co.za/forumDetail.php?forumID=20

Speeding fines written off By:SG
02-Feb-2010
Question:
When are fines written off? If I have fines issued in 2007 and 2008, can I have it written off?
Answer:

“Fines” or Section 341 Notices have a life of their own and there is apparently no length of validity although schedule 3 of the Criminal Procedures Act, 51 1977 does provide for payment of an admission of guilt fine within 30 days of issue of the Section 341 Notice. Once the 30 days has expired and no payment of an admission of guilt fine has been forthcoming, a summons is supposed to be issued but this rarely happens with traffic fines issued under the CPA.

Fines outstanding from 2 or 3 years ago are problematic since if summons were indeed issued in accordance with the Act at this stage, a competent attorney could easily argue that an unreasonable amount of time that has transpired and would not allow the accused to mount a defence due to the fact that  one cannot go back in time to inspect such things as the road conditions, traffic signs etc. If one really thinks about it logically, the issuing authority should also be regarded as not having complied with the Act, however one has to bear in mind that the courts are rarely inclined to sanction traffic authorities for not sticking to the protocols they should comply with.

So, in short the legislation and guidelines on this issue are about as clear as mud.

Of course, all of this will change with the national implementation of the AARTO on 1 April 2010. The Act changes almost everything about how traffic law enforcement is applied and timeframes are clearly defined. Whether traffic authorities stick to those laws or not remains to be seen and this has certainly not been the case in the Pilot implementation areas of Johannesburg and Tshwane. I would say that everyone is in for a rough ride when AARTO comes into effect nationally.

Crossing the dividing line By:Callie
29-Jan-2010
Question:
If you are traveling on a single road but the oncoming road has two lanes, can you overtake if a car is coming from the front in the left hand lane and you don't have a solid line on your side. I don't think you can because you can only overtake if it is safe to do so. And you can not assume the other car can see you.
Answer:

I think Carel has a pretty good idea of what the situation is.

Technically, you are legally allowed to cross the dividing line to overtake, provided:
• you would not be crossing a solid white line to do so, and
• the oncoming lanes are clear of traffic for a long enough distance to allow you to overtake safely;
• you have a clear view of the road ahead and you can in fact see that it is safe to overtake.
As Carel says, if there is a vehicle approaching in the far lane on your right (the left lane for approaching traffic), and the middle lane is clear, there is still the possibility that the driver of the approaching vehicle may decide to change lanes to his right in preparation for passing a slower vehicle in the left lane for the oncoming driver. So that could suddenly make it unsafe for you to cross the diving line in order to overtake. And, you may overtake only if it is legal and also if it is safe to do so.

An interesting question!

12345678910...
muti | Digg | del.icio.us | facebook | Google | Yahoo | stumbleupon | Reddit
Tell a Friend
Ask The Expert Now!
Details...

Display Name:  *
Real Name:  *
Email Address:  *
Question:  *
Expert Blogs
GPS Navigation & Road Safety Blog Car Insurance, and important component in Road Safety Blog
Accidents Blog
OUTsurance
For car insurance,
home insurance and commercial insurance
TomTom
NetCare 911
SAB Limited
TRAC N4 Ctrack Secure Puisano
EvaSure - Accidental Death Cover PSA Professional Breathalysers Monroe Shock Absorbers
Mikros Systems Reutech  
Report Bad Driving
Celebrity Wall
Wall of Remembrance
Ask The Expert
K53 Learner's test
Tom Tom Route Planner
Latest Blog Postings
Bus blaze on N2 blocks freeway
08-02-2010
Twenty five people injured in Umbilo Road pile-up
08-02-2010
Rural bus carnage kills two and leaves 119 people injured
07-02-2010
Latest Pages Added
Traffic Fine Payment and Road Safety
04-02-2010
Shock Absorbers
03-02-2010
Arrive Alive 2009 Road Safety Review
08-01-2010
Which of the following scares you most?
Facebook Icon Join Our Facebook Group
 
Arrive Alive Sitemap Icon Arrive Alive Sitemap
 
Arrive Alive SA Mobile Icon Arrive Alive South Africa Mobile Site
 
Arrive Alive Nigeria Mobile Icon Arrive Alive Nigeria Mobile Site
 
Road Safety Blog Road Safety Blog
 
GPS Navigation & Road Safety Blog GPS Navigation Blog
 
Car Insurance Blog Car Insurance Blog
 
Accidents Blog Accidents Blog
Quick Links
Road Safety
Accidental Death Cover
Links
Communication Strategy
Road Safety & Health
Scholar Patrol
Road Safety Education
Accident Investigation
Bus Safety / Truck Safety
Blood Services
Cycling Safety
Pedestrian Safety
Road Safety Advertisements
Road Safety 2010
Spectator Safety Guide
Foreign Travel Advice
Safety Guide On Safari
Route Planner
Vehicle
Travel Insurance
GPS Technology and Buying a GPS
Car Insurance
Seatbelts
Windscreen / Vision
Vehicle Maintenance
Towing of Vehicles
The Involuntary Stop
The Brakes
Steering
Shocks / Suspension
Child Restraints
Driving
Rail/Level Crossings
Hijacking
Safe Driving Techniques
Weather Conditions
Road Conditions
Accident Scene Safety
Pregnancy and Safe Driving
Accident Stats
Vehicle Crashes 2001 - 20...
1930 - 2000 Crash Stats...
Easter 2009 Road Traffic ...
Road Users
Motorcycle/Motorbike Safety
Bus/Truck Safety
Cycling Safety
Public Transport
Quad Bikes Safety
No.1 Taxi Driver
Minibus Taxi
K53
K53 Mobile Application to Test Your Knowledge of the Rules of the Road
K53 Driver Licence Test
Enforcement
Traffic Fine Payment
Traffic Signs
Traffic Enforcement
K53 Licence Test
eNaTIS
RTMC
Driver
Eye Care Safety
Accident Insurance
Alzheimer’s and Road Safety
Elderly Road Users
Road Rage
In Case of Accident
In Case of Emergency
Driver Fitness
News
Events Calendar
Newsletters
Road Safety Blog
Road Safety Conferences
Arrive Alive in the News
Department Of Transport
Road Safety Highlights
Road Safety in the Media
From Arrive Alive
Useful Links
GPS Navigation Blog
Facebook Group
Sitemap
Mobile Site
Road Safety Blog
© 2010 - All Rights Reserved www.arrivealive.co.za