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| Breakdown and Reflective Triangles By:Richard |
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| 11-Mar-2010 |
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| Question: |
| Does the law require that you carry a reflective triangle in your
vehicle for use in the case of breakdown? In Durban drivers are being fined for not carring one?
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| Answer: |
Regulation 214 of the National Road Traffic Act 93/1996 requires that new motor cars first registered after 1 July 2006 must carry one warning triangle. |
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| Seatbelt Legislation By:KvS |
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| 03-Mar-2010 |
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| Question: |
| When did the wearing of seat belts become compulsory in South Africa? I've found a reference that states that from 1 January 1996 it became compulsory for passengers in the back seat to wear seat belts, but I cannot find a date for drivers and front seated passenger.
Hope you will be able to assist.
Thank you. |
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| Answer: |
The back seat was actually 1 Jan 1997. The front seat was from 1 Jan 1977 as far as I know, front seats were fitted with seat belts since 1965. |
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| Slow vehicles on our roads By:Jerry Peter |
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| 02-Mar-2010 |
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| Question: |
| Can our national roads department pass a law that forbids trucks to drive on any other lane but the extreme left lane on all major highways around the major cities e.g. The N1 or N3 that circles JHB. Also to not allow trucks to overtake in these areas.
For example on many ocasions one finds trucks breaking down in the middle lanes between Gillooly's interchange and Geldenhuys interchange. Or they will be driving 40 km/h in the middle lane which causes major back-ups and leads to frustration and then eventually reckless driving by motorist wanting to pass these trucks! Can we partition for this! It will save lives! It will saves lives! Pleeeeeease! |
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| Answer: |
The DoT can do such a law – but the likelihood is minimal as there are many problems with that. The problem of trucks in the middle lane as noted is due to the splits in the highways and trucks need to choose direction changes well in advance – are not allowed in by light motor vehicles so move early.
Trucks also need to meet deadlines and thus overtake the very slow vehicles – but the aggravation caused is worrying. The behaviour of other motorists is aptly summed up by the comment from the author. The slow vehicles do not kill vehicles – it’s the attitude of the light vehicles around them. |
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| Towing a motorcycle By:edgar wright |
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| 28-Feb-2010 |
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| Question: |
| Dear sir, I will moving to springbok shortly, can I attach my motorcycle to my car, the front wheel of the m/cycle will be removed and the front forks will be attached to a purpose made bracket on the back of the car, the rear wheel of the m/cycle will be on the road when towing, is this legal or must I get special clearance to do this?
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I cannot find anything that would make this illegal.If the rear wheel of the motorcycle is going to be on a public road,they must ensure that it is licensed. |
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| Powers of traffic officials with weighbridge referrals By:trucker |
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| 26-Feb-2010 |
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| Question: |
| What are the procedures for a traffic offical to send a truck to a weighbridge |
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| Answer: |
The Road Traffic Act, Act 29 of 1989 – Section 11 (Powers and duties of traffic officer) paragraph (d)
The Act empowers the officer to order the vehicle (……. to proceed to a massmeter or mass measuring device ……)
The procedure would be: stop the vehicle and if in doubt order the vehicle to a weighbridge or escort the vehicle to a weighbridge. The actual method implemented would be decided upon by the authority concerned. |
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