Question:
To whom it may concern Could you please advice me what the current law of slowing down and coming to a stop at an Amber traffic light ( robot ) is in South Africa; as I am unable to find the law and rules of the road safety on your website? What the recommended distance for a driver to be behind another driver when coming to a stop in order to avoid an accident?
Answer:
A Traffic Signal: S1 – S15
(1) (a) A traffic signal shall only display the following light signals and be arranged to conform to the requirements of one of the standard traffic signals as shown in paragraph (2):
(i) vehicular light signals—
(aa) A steady red disc light signal
(bb) A steady red bus light signal
(cc) A steady red tram light signal
(dd) A steady red arrow light signal, or a steady red disc light signal with a traffic signal arrow sign ST1 to ST5 installed above the signal
(ee) A flashing red disc, bus or tram light signal
(ff) A left flashing red arrow light signal displayed together with a steady red disc light signal
(gg) A steady yellow disc light signal
(hh) A flashing yellow disc light signal
(ii) A steady yellow bus light signal
(jj) A steady yellow tram light signal
(kk) A steady yellow arrow light signal
(ll) A steady green disc light signal
(mm) A steady green bus light signal
(nn) A steady green tram light signal
(oo) A steady green arrow light signal
(pp) A flashing green bus light signal
(qq) A flashing green tram light signal
(rr) A flashing green arrow light signal
(ii) pedestrian and pedal cyclist light signals—
(aa) A steady red man light signal
(bb) A flashing red man light signal or flashing green man light signal
(cc) A steady green man light signal
(dd) A steady red pedal cyclist light signal
(ee) A flashing red pedal cyclist light signal or flashing green pedal cyclist light signal
(ff) A steady green pedal cyclist light signal
(b) Where there is no pedestrian light signal to control the movement of pedestrians at a junction, a pedestrian shall comply with the vehicular light signals installed at such junction and the provisions of roadmarking RTM3 shall apply.
(c) The significance of the light signals referred to in paragraph (a) is—
(i) for vehicular light signals—
(aa) A steady red disc light signal
Indicating to the driver of a vehicle that he or she shall stop his or her vehicle behind the stop line RTM1 and that he or she shall remain stationary until a green light signal is displayed, and it is safe to proceed; and in the event that a pedestrian light signal is not provided, indicates to a pedestrian that he or she shall not cross the roadway until a green light signal is displayed and it is safe to do so;
(bb) A steady red bus light signal
Indicating to the driver of a vehicle allowed in an exclusive bus lane that he or she shall stop his or her vehicle behind the stop line RTM1 and that he or she shall remain stationary until a green bus light signal is displayed, and it is safe to proceed;
(cc) A steady red tram light signal
Indicating to the driver of a vehicle allowed in an exclusive tram lane that he or she shall stop his or her vehicle behind the stop line RTM1 and that he or she shall remain stationary until a green tram light signal is displayed, and it is safe to proceed;
(dd) A steady red arrow light signal, or a steady red disc light signal with a traffic signal arrow sign ST1 to ST5 installed above the signal
Indicating to the driver of a vehicle that he or she shall stop his or her vehicle behind the stop line RTM1 if he or she intends turning in the direction indicated by the steady red arrow light signal or the traffic signal arrow sign and that he or she shall remain stationary until a green light signal is displayed that allows movement in the direction of the arrow and it is safe to proceed: Provided that the steady red arrow light signal shall not be displayed at a traffic signal after 30 June 2003.
(ee) A flashing red disc, bus or tram light signal
Indicating to the driver of a vehicle that he or she shall act as for a 3-way stop sign R1.3 or 4-way stop sign R1.4, and shall yield right of way to all pedestrians crossing his or her path, and the signal indicates to a pedestrian that he or she may cross the roadway if it is safe to do so;
(ff) A left flashing red arrow light signal displayed together with a steady red disc light signal
Indicating to the driver of a vehicle that he or she shall stop his or her vehicle behind the stop line RTM1 and if he or she intends to turn left at the junction he or she may proceed to turn left, even though the red disc light signal is displayed, and he or she shall yield right of way to all vehicles and pedestrians for whom a green light signal is displayed: Provided that the flashing red arrow light signal shall not be displayed at a traffic signal after 31 December 2010.
(gg) A steady yellow disc light signal
Indicating to the driver of a vehicle that he or she shall stop his or her vehicle behind the stop line RTM1 and that he or she shall remain stationary until a green light signal is displayed, and it is safe to proceed: Provided that if he or she is so close to a stop line RTM1 when the steady yellow disc light signal is displayed that he or she cannot stop safely, he or she may proceed with caution against such yellow light signal, and in the event that a pedestrian light signal is not provided, indicates to a pedestrian that he or she shall not cross a roadway until a green light signal is displayed and it is safe to do so;
(hh) A flashing yellow disc light signal
Indicating to the driver of a vehicle that he or she shall proceed with caution and shall yield right of way to all pedestrians crossing his or her path, and the signal indicates to a pedestrian that he or she may cross the roadway if it is safe to do so: Provided that the flashing yellow disc light signal shall not be displayed after the 31 December 2010.
(ii) A steady yellow bus light signal
Indicating to the driver of a vehicle allowed in an exclusive bus lane that he or she shall stop his or her vehicle behind the stop line RTM1 and that he or she shall remain stationary until a green light signal is displayed, and it is safe to proceed: Provided that if he or she is so close to a stop line RTM1 when the steady yellow bus light signal is displayed that he or she cannot stop safely, he or she may proceed with caution against such yellow light signal.
(jj) A steady yellow tram light signal
Indicating to the driver of a vehicle allowed in an exclusive tram lane that he or she shall stop his or her vehicle behind the stop line RTM1 and that he or she shall remain stationary until a green light signal is displayed, and it is safe to proceed: Provided that if he or she is so close to a stop line RTM1 when the steady yellow tram light signal is displayed that he or she cannot stop safely, he or she may proceed with caution against such yellow light signal;
(kk) A steady yellow arrow light signal
Indicating to the driver of a vehicle that he or she shall stop his or her vehicle behind the stop line RTM1 if he or she intends turning in the direction indicated by the yellow arrow light signal and that he or she shall remain stationary until a green light signal allowing the movement is displayed, and it is safe to proceed: Provided that if he or she is so close to stop line RTM1 when a steady yellow arrow light signal is displayed that he or she cannot stop safely then he or she may proceed with caution against such yellow arrow light signal;
(ll) A steady green disc light signal
Indicating to the driver of a vehicle that he or she may proceed through a junction or crossing, or turn to the left or right, subject to any restricting road traffic sign or light signal, but shall yield right of way to other vehicular traffic and to pedestrians lawfully within the junction or crossing, at the time a steady green disc light signal is displayed, and in the event that a pedestrian light signal is not provided, to indicate to a pedestrian that he or she may cross the junction within the pedestrian crossing markings RTM3 or RTM4 as appropriate: Provided that a conflicting flashing green arrow, bus or tram light signal is not displayed at the same time.
(mm) A steady green bus light signal
Indicating to the driver of a vehicle allowed in an exclusive bus lane that he or she may proceed through a junction or crossing, or turn to the left or right, subject to any restricting road traffic sign or light signal, but shall yield right of way to other vehicular traffic and to pedestrians lawfully within the junction or crossing, at the time such steady green bus light signal is displayed
(nn) A steady green tram light signal
Indicating to the driver of a vehicle allowed in an exclusive tram lane that he or she may proceed through a junction or crossing, or turn to the left or right, subject to any restricting road traffic sign or light signal, but shall yield right of way to other vehicular traffic and to pedestrians lawfully within the junction, or crossing, at the time such steady green tram light signal is displayed;
(oo) A steady green arrow light signal
Indicating to the driver of a vehicle that he or she may proceed in the direction indicated by the steady green arrow light signal, subject to any restric-ting road traffic sign or light signal, but shall yield right of way to other vehicular traffic and to pedestrians lawfully within the junction or crossing, at the time such green light signal is displayed and in the event that a pedestrian light signal is not provided, indicates to a pedestrian that he or she may cross the junction within the pedestrian crossing markings RTM3 or RTM4 as appropriate: Provided that a conflicting flashing green arrow, bus or tram light signal is not displayed at the same time;
(pp) A flashing green bus light signal
Indicating to the driver of a vehicle allowed in an exclusive bus lane that he or she may proceed and that his or her movements are unopposed by other traffic;
(qq) A flashing green tram light signal
Indicating to the driver of a vehicle allowed in an exclusive tram lane that he or she may proceed and that his or her movements are unopposed by other traffic;
(rr) A flashing green arrow light signal
Indicating to the driver of a vehicle that he or she may proceed in the direction indicated by the flashing green arrow light signal and that his or her movement is unopposed by other traffic; and
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The driver rules apply for safe stopping distances.
Reg 308. General duties of driver or passenger of vehicle on public road
(1) No person driving or having a vehicle on a public road shall—
(a) cause such vehicle to travel backwards unless it can be done in safety, or cause it to run backwards for a distance or time longer than may be necessary for the safety or reasonable convenience of any occupant of that vehicle or of other traffic on such road; or
(b) follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent having regard to the speed of such other vehicle and the traffic on and the condition of the roadway, or more closely than is prescribed in these regulations;
(c) permit any person, animal or object to occupy any position in or on such vehicle which may prevent the driver thereof from exercising complete control over the movements of the vehicle or signalling his or her intention of stopping, slowing down or changing direction;
(d) when driving such vehicle, permit any person to take hold of or interfere with the steering or operating mechanism of the vehicle;
(e) when driving such vehicle, occupy such position that he or she does not have complete control over the vehicle or does not have a full view of the roadway and the traffic ahead of such vehicle.
(f) allow such vehicle to remain unattended on such road without setting its brake or adopting such other method as will effectively prevent the vehicle from moving from the position in which it is left;
(g) if such vehicle is parked or is stationary at the side of such road, drive the vehicle from that position unless he or she is able to do so without interfering with moving traffic approaching from any direction and with safety to himself or herself and others;
(h) fail to give an immediate and absolute right of way to a vehicle sounding a device or bell or displaying an identification lamp in terms of section 58(3) or 60 or regulation 176;
(i) allow any portion of his or her body to protrude beyond such vehicle while it is in motion on such road except for the purpose of giving any hand signal which he or she is required or authorised to give in terms of these regulations or unless he or she is engaged in examining or testing or parking such vehicle;
(j) permit any person or animal to occupy the roof, any step or running board or any other place on top of a vehicle while such vehicle is in motion;
(k) cause or allow the engine thereof to run in such manner that it emits smoke or fumes which would not be emitted if the engine were in good condition or ran in an efficient manner;
(l) cause or allow the engine thereof to run while the motor vehicle is stationary and unattended;
(m) negligently or wilfully deposit or cause or permit to be deposited any petrol or other liquid fuel or any oil or grease or other flammable or offensive matter, ashes or other refuse, of whatever nature, from such vehicle upon or alongside such road; or
(n) cause or allow the engine thereof to run while petrol or other flammable fuel is being delivered into the fuel tank of such vehicle, or cause or allow such engine to be started up before the delivery of the petrol or other flammable fuel into the fuel tank of such vehicle has been completed and the cover of such fuel tank has been replaced.
Regards
Alta
Alta Swanepoel and Associates CC
What is a Safe Following Distance & When should it be Increased? https://t.co/DPn4rClrK5 #ArriveAlive @N3Route @BakwenaN1N4 @TRACN4route pic.twitter.com/S9Tj9y9Jga
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