Question:
What is the distance from that your brake lights must be visible? My grandson went for his learners but failed. That was one of the questions but we cannot find it anywhere. Please help. I think it is very unfair that questions are asked that there are no answers for…
Answer:
I copy the legislation for you. As far as I know, it is supposed to be covered by the learning material available for learner licences.
Reg 169. Stop lamps
(1) No person shall operate a motor vehicle, other than a trailer drawn by a tractor or a tractor, on a public road unless it is fitted with at least one stop lamp on each side at the rear of the motor vehicle, and in the case of a motorcycle one stop lamp at the rear, which shall—
(a) be visible from the rear and shall be unobscured within angles of—
(i) 45 degrees measured across the width of the motor vehicle on either side of a line parallel to the longitudinal centre‑line of the motor vehicle and passing through the centre‑line of each stop lamp; and
(ii) 15 degrees measured vertically on either side of a horizontal line parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the motor vehicle and passing through the centre-line of each stop lamp but if the height of the stop lamp above ground level is less than 750 millimetres, such angles, measured below such horizontal line, may be reduced to five degrees;
(b) be fitted at a height of not less than 300 millimetres and not more than two comma one metres above ground level, measured to the centre of the lamp: Provided that additional stop lamps may be fitted above two comma one metres;
(c) be fitted equidistant from, and on each side of, the longitudinal centre‑line of such motor vehicle;
(d) when in use, emit light the colour of which shall be red and the intensity of which shall be greater than that of the light emitted by the rear lamp on the motor vehicle and shall be visible in normal sunlight at a distance of not less than 30 metres to a person of normal eyesight;
(e) be so connected that, if the motor vehicle is in motion, such lamp shall come into operation as soon as the operating device of the service brake or similar brake of the motor vehicle or, in the case of a combination of motor vehicles, of the drawing vehicle, is activated; and
(f) be maintained in a clean condition and in good working order.
(2) A motor vehicle which is being towed by a breakdown vehicle shall be fitted with a separate temporary set of stop lamps which is coordinated with the working of the stop lamps of the breakdown vehicle while such motor vehicle is so towed.
(3) A stop lamp complying with the provisions of subregulation (1) may be incorporated in a rear lamp fitted to a motor vehicle in terms of regulation 168.
(4) A motor vehicle may be fitted with stop lamps, which display a flashing light signal during emergency high de-acceleration braking that complies with the requirements of standard specification SANS 20013 Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles of category M, N and O with regarded to braking” or, SANS 20013 Part H: “Uniform provision concerning the approval of passenger cars with regard to braking”, and SANS 20048 “Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regard to the installation of lighting and light-signalling devices”, and which is homologated as such by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications.
Regards
Alta
Also view:
Lighting, Head Lamps and Spot Lights on Vehicles and Rules of the Road