Warning Triangles - compulsory now?

[Pine]

Received this e-mail today... but then again, you can't believe everything in your mailbox?



> It is apparently law (since yesterday) that each vehicle should have those
> red triangles (that are placed behind it in the event of an emergency) in
> it at all times.
> A friend of mine was fined yesterday by the JMPD for not having them in
> his car. The fine is R500 or whatever bribe the officer wants to extort
> from you.
> He later checked the website and confirmed that the law did come into
> effect yesterday.
> So nice of them to publish it so widely, instead of just the Gazette -
> which we all read daily of course.
>
> So please make sure you have the triangles in your car in case you get
> stopped by an officer of the law.
> Media briefing
> A reflective emergency warning triangle sign for motorists is now a
> compulsory article in cars, the Johannesburg metro police said on
> Friday.JMPD spokesman Wayne Minnaar said all vehicles registered after
> July 1, 2007, must carry at least one emergency warning triangle sign in
> terms of Regulation 214 (2) (a) of the National Road Traffic Act.Motorists
> without a triangle in their car could be fined R500, he said.The only
> vehicles excluded from this regulation were ambulances, cars registered
> before July 1, 2006, motorcycles, motor tricycles and motor
> quadricycles.Minnaar said goods vehicles, minibuses and buses first
> registered before July 1, 2007, will not be allowed on a public road
> without at least one emergency triangle sign."Prior to July 1, 2007, only
> goods vehicles such as trucks, buses and minibuses were required to carry
> the sign, but now it applies to everybody due to the changed legislation
> for safety reasons," said Minnaar.
>

[BUSBFK]

I can confirm that one of the guys here at office did get a R500 fine for not having triangles.

[Pine]

Only saw this now

spokesman Wayne Minnaar said all vehicles registered after
> July 1, 2007, must carry at least one emergency warning triangle sign in
> terms of Regulation 214 (2) (a) of the National Road Traffic Act

.

So we are 'safe' in our AirCooleds?

[slak]

ONLY YESTERDAY ? the b@$t&rd$ fined 3 of our vehicles in one day about 6 months
ago if i knew i wouldnt have paid it
but they said that that rule is coming in
shows u these guys get a briefieng that some new law is GOING to come in
and they start enforsing it ther and then

[CooP]

Silly me - I always thought that they were compulsory, like a spare wheel, jack and wheel spanner. I have always kept at least one in all of my cars. I believe that in Germany you are required to have a high-visibilty vest in your vehicle at all times too. It seems impossible to keep up with all of the new regs, they will always find something to fine you for.

[fig]

How ironic that this new law does not apply to the vehicles most likely to break down on the road, ie, older vehicles. This is just the latest salvo in the ANC government's war against "the rich" (ie, people who can afford new cars).

This is also the first I have heard of this. FYI, contrary to popular belief, ignorance of the law CAN be an acceptable defence in court, provided it is genuine. Obviously you'll have difficulty arguing ignorance re common law crimes like murder, theft, assault, etc, but in cases of administrative law and minor legislation such as this, it is a real defence. Of course, that won't help you when dealing with fat-ass metro cops.

[bugspray]

thats an old mail starting again
Thats been the law since 2007 all new vehicles sold come std with one, its been a law for a long time so doubt the ignorance plea would hold water anymore.

No new car leaves the sales floor without one.

And yeah fig is right why should a less likely vehicle to break down have one....but i still think its a good idea, have one in all the family vehicles, including my bug.

[ChrisG]

I agree with this rule. They have to start somewhere and trying to force every old car to get a triangle is an unrealistic objective, even though in theory it makes sense that all old cars should have one

[dsan]

I agree it should be the case with older cars. In France, you are required to personally ensure each car you use has a high-vis vest and triangles.

get caught and Pierre get's angry

[Klaus]

Buggers !!!

In Europe you now need the following:

Country of origin sticker - i.e. GB, I, F, B
Warning triangle
Reflective jacket - minimum of 2
First aid kit
Fire Extinguisher
Headlight beam adjusters (right hand drive to left hand drive and vice versa)
Spare bulb kit
and in some places spare wiper blades

or money in your pocket for on the spot fines or the vehicle is seized

Although most of us carry this anyway in our Vans or Bugs I think once some one from metro uses his bonus (read: bribes) to go to europe you'll probabaly see more of this coming in. Who wants to invest in a reflective vest manufacturing concern !!!

[fig]

Judging by the number of JMPD reflective jackets I see hung over the driver's seats of private cars, it looks like someone in JMPD is already in business ...

[Klaus]

[Hloni]

So the new R 69 999.99 CHERRY QQ does not get a flat tire at the side of the road? l better go buy me the lime coloured one then!

[Ron&Gill]

In the early 90's the AA had for sale, a nice bag containing all these things... except a fire extinguisher and a hi-viz vest. Now I know you all drive with a fire extinguisher. So make up a little bag with all these goodies in and sling it in the back of the car when you go out and you'll be OK. It's just getting used to it, like having to have your driver's licence with you at all times.

[Dutch_Diver]

Sorry I need to correct......

You need a high viz jacket for everyone in the car including kids! and you forgot the spare fuses that you need to carry. The Fire extinguisher is not law but you are not covered by your insurance for a fire claim unless you had one and it was within reach.

Also in France, if you see an accident and you don't stop and offer first aid, with the kit that you have to carry, you can be fined too.