POLOKWANE: The National Road Traffic Regulations have been amended. The amendment is in Government Gazette 33796, Notice number 1113 published on 25 November 2010. It is called the Seventeenth Amendment and came into force on publication.
New motor vehicles registered after 01 August 2010 must have number plates that are fitted with pop rivets or screws. If it cannot be fitted to the vehicle it must be fitted to a bracket that complies with SANS 973. This amendment will minimize crime and road traffic offences by motorists who easily remove the number plates so that they are not traceable. It will not be easy to remove the number plate and put it back after the commission of crime since it will always incur additional costs. The number plate is made out of aluminium which will make it difficult to burn beyond recognition during an accident scene.
As of 1 February 2011 persons who obtain driving licences for a code C, C1, EC or EC1 driving licence will not be allowed to drive a motor vehicle that requires a code B or code EB licence (in old terms - a person with a code 10, 11, 13 or 14 licence cannot drive a vehicle for which you need a code 08 licence). This will only apply to new licence holders. Quite a big number of learner drivers apply for heavy motor vehicles driving licences as opposed to light motor vehicles so that they can avoid parallel parking tests as an example. The reality is that once they have obtained their heavy motor vehicle licences, they drive light motor vehicles of which they are not familiar with its driving controls and end up being involved in accidents. It is also expected that all those drivers that have obtained heavy motor vehicle driving licences should possess Professional Driving Permits but, the statistics shows something different. This proves the fact that the applicants needed the driving licences for light motor vehicles not for heavy motor vehicles.
Directional Stability Control Devices for mini and midi buses are introduced through a certification process that forms part of the roadworthy test. It applies to all mini and midi buses and not only newly manufactured vehicles. The registered owner of a motor vehicle or proxy must submit a duly completed form DSCD to the testing station. A Directional Stability Control Device is a device that prevents a tyre dislodging from the rim when the tyre burst whilst the vehicle is motion.
An amendment to Regulation 332 was published and lists the evidential breath testers that may be used to collect evidential breath samples and the certificate issued by the manufacturer or supplier may be used as evidence in cases, by the mere production thereof. This amendment seeks to address the issue that was raised pertaining to the legality of the breathalyzers in terms of section 65(7) of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act No 93 of 1996) and complies with SABS 1793: Evidential Breath Testing Equipment or SANS 1793: Evidential Breath Testing Equipment and may be used to ascertain the concentration of alcohol in breath.
"This is more opportune during this festive season as it gives an added boost to our efforts to fighting drunken driving on our roads", says MEC of Roads and Transport Pinky Kekana.