KEEP LEFT, THE GENERAL RULE
Drive as far left as possible unless you are overtaking. Don’t encroach on the right side of the road obstructing oncoming traffic.
DIVIDED ROADS
When a road has been divided into two or more lanes by means of an intervening space such as a painted island or by a physical barrier or traffic island, keep to the left of that barrier unless otherwise directed by a traffic sign or ordered by a traffic officer to use other lanes.
Never cross those barriers or islands except through an opening or at a cross-over or intersection.
OVERTAKING
Overtake slower vehicles travelling in the same direction on their right
You may overtake:
If a road sign or marking does not specifically prohibited overtaking.
Only when it is safe without obstructing or endangering other traffic.
and when you’ve activated your indicators.
You may not overtake:
When approaching the summit of a bridge, rise or hill.
When approaching a curve.
If visibility is restricted.
A vehicle which has stopped at a pedestrian or railway crossing.
On the shoulder or verge of the road.
At any intersection.
When a solid barrier line or road sign prohibits it.
You may overtake a slower vehicle ahead of you when on it’s left when:
That vehicle is turning right or signalling to turn right.
The road is a one-way and wide enough for two or more lanes of traffic.
The road is divided into two or more lanes.
When overtaking stationary vehicles:
Reduce speed.
Watch out for passengers getting in or out of the vehicle.
Look out for pedestrians trying to cross the road near the vehicle.
When you are being overtaken:
Move to the left side of the road as far as possible.
Do not accelerate.
move into the left lane if it is a multi-lane road.
THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD
Don’t drive on the shoulder of a road (left of the yellow line) after dark. You ARE allowed to drive there when you want another vehicle to pass you under the following conditions:
Only during the day between sunrise and sunset
When the road is designated for one lane of traffic in each direction
When the motor vehicle you want to pass you is being overtaken by another vehicle
If you have clear visibility for at least 150 metres.
CROSSING OR ENTERING A ROAD
You must not drive across a road or enter it unless the road is clear of traffic for a sufficient distance so that you won’t obstruct or endanger cars coming from the left or right.
When you are driving in a road divided into lanes, don’t turn from one lane into or across another lane unless it can be done without obstructing or endangering other traffic and after you had signalled clearly.
DRIVING SIGNALS
If you want to stop, reduce speed suddenly, turn or change lanes you must give a clear signal, in the prescribed manner (see hand signals) visible to other drivers approaching from the front, rear or from the side and for long enough to warn other motorists of your intention.
RIGHT OF WAY AT CERTAIN INTERSECTIONS
If you want to enter a junction of two or more roads at a traffic island, yield right of way to all vehicles approaching from your right unless otherwise instructed by a traffic officer or traffic sign.
PROCEDURE WHEN TURNING
Turning left:
Before reaching the point where you want to turn left, keep as far left as possible and indicate your intention to turn left. And when you do turn, merge carefully with the other traffic.
Turning right:
If you want to turn right and you are on a road with lanes in both directions, drive as close to the middle of the road as possible without crossing over into the opposite lane, indicate that you want to turn right and then turn without obstructing or endangering other traffic. If you want to turn right at an intersection you must not encroach on the right half of the road into which you will be turning or on the road from where you are turning, except in the intersection itself. You must at all times pass to the left of any traffic island or comply with appropriate traffic sign ordering you otherwise.
Turning right from a one-way road:
If you are in a one-way road you must drive as far right as possible approaching the turn off but take care not encroach on the right half of the roadway into which you are turning. Again pass to the left of a traffic island or comply with appropriate road traffic signs.
Turning into a one-way road:
If the road you are turning into is a one-way then you may encroach on the right half of that road.
TOWING VEHICLES
No person shall operate a vehicle on a public road towing another vehicle
If the length of the tow-rope, chain or tow-bar between the two vehicles exceeds 3,5m.
If the two vehicles are not under control.
Unless vehicle being towed is controlled by a person holding a driving licence authorising him or her to drive that class of vehicle.
If the brakes of the towed vehicle are faulty and it is not being towed by a rigid drawbar or tow-bar.
More than 30 km/h unless the two vehicles are connected by means of a rigid drawbar or a tow-bar.
If the towed vehicle is conveying persons and 30 km/h is exceeded unless the towed vehicle is a semi-trailer.
If the towing vehicle is a motor cycle, motor tricycle, motor quadricycle or pedal cycle.
All trailers (including caravans) must have yellow reflective tape displayed along at least 80% of the sides and rear of the trailer. This tape must be fitted at least 250mm above the ground but not higher than 1.5m and must display either the SABS or E marks of approval. (This rule also apply to all goods vehicles over 10 000kg or longer than 6 meters.)
STOPPING OF VEHICLES
Except to avoid an accident or complying with a road traffic sign or with an order given by a traffic officer, or for any cause beyond the control of the driver, you may not stop a vehicle at the following spots
Alongside or opposite an excavation or obstruction on the public road if other traffic would be obstructed or endangered by such stopping.
Within any tunnel or subway or on any bridge or within 6m of any tunnel, subway or bridge.
On, or within 6m from the beginning or end of, any part of such roadway where the normal width thereof has for any reason been constricted.
In contravention of any road traffic sign.
On the right-hand side of such roadway facing oncoming traffic.
Alongside or opposite any other vehicle on such roadway where such roadway is less than 9m wide.
Within the railway reserve at a level crossing.
Within 9m of his or her approaching side of a pedestrian crossing demarcated by appropriate road traffic signs; or
In any other place where the stopping of a vehicle would or would be likely to constitute a danger or an obstruction to other traffic.
PARKING OF VEHICLES
Don’t park a vehicle;
In contravention of a traffic sign.
On the same side and within 1,5 metres of a fire hydrant.
In any place where your vehicle would obscure a traffic sign.
In a way that it encroaches on a sidewalk.
In a way that the vehicle obstructs any private or public driveway.
No person shall park a vehicle on any portion of a road (excluding the shoulders) outside an urban area with any part of the vehicle within 1m of the edge of the roadway except in a demarcated parking place.
No person shall park a vehicle on the roadway of a public road within an urban area:
Within 9m of a pedestrian crossing unless in a demarcated parking bay.
Within 5m of any intersection unless in a demarcated parking bay.
On the actuating mechanism of a traffic signal.
With the outside of the left-hand wheels more than 450 mm from the curb or road way edge or if it is a one-way, with the right-hand wheels more than 450 mm from the edge or curb except when parking is otherwise permitted by a specific sign or road marking.
No person shall park a motor vehicle on a traffic island or in a pedestrian mall or pedestrian lane.
COMPULSORY STOPS
You must stop your vehicle;
In compliance with any traffic sign or order given by a traffic officer in uniform
At the request or on the signal of a person leading or driving animals.
GENERAL
No person driving a vehicle shall
Reverse in an unsafe manner or allow a vehicle to run backwards for an excessive distance or time causing danger or inconvenience to any occupant of that vehicle or to other traffic.
Follow another vehicle closer than is reasonably safe considering speed, weather and road conditions or closer than is prescribed in these regulations;
Allow any person, animal or object to occupy any position prevent him or her to be in complete control of the vehicle or hampering the ability to signal his or her intention of stopping, slowing down or changing direction.
Allow any one to interfere with the steering or other controls.
Occupy such position that he or she does not have complete control over the vehicle or have a restricted view of the road and the traffic ahead.
Allow the vehicle to remain unattended without setting its parking brake or using another method to prevent the vehicle from moving.
Not pull away from a parking bay, side of the road or any stationary position in a manner which could interfere with or endanger traffic approaching from any direction
Fail to give immediate right of way to a vehicle sounding a siren.
Allow any portion of his or her body to protrude outside the vehicle while it is in motion except for the purpose of giving hand signals or allow passengers to protrude beyond the vehicle.
Permit any person or animal to be on the roof, any step or running board while the vehicle is in motion.
Allow the engine to emit excessive smoke or fumes.
Allow the engine to run while the vehicle is stationary and unattended;
Allow petrol, oil or grease or other flammable or offensive matter, ashes or refuseto spill out of the vehicle.
Leave the engine running while filling it with petrol or other fuel.
Allow any one to enter or exit the vehicle while it is moving and when it is stationary, allow people to leave the vehicle in a dangerous manner.
Drive, pull or push a vehicle on a sidewalk.
USING COMMUNICATION DEVICES WHILE DRIVING
Don’t drive:
While holding a cellphone or any other communication device in one or both hands or with any other part of the body such as pinching the device between your shoulder and ear.
This rule does not apply to the following people while driving in execution of their duties:
The driver of a fire-fighting vehicle.
The driver of a rescue vehicle or an ambulance.
A traffic officer.
A policeman or woman.
A soldier.
Any one engaged in a civil protection exercise or operation.
DUTIES RELATED TO MOTORCYCLES, MOTOR TRICYCLES AND QUADRICYCLES
When riding a motorcycle, motor tricycle or quad bike place your feet on the front foot-rests and sit properly astride on the saddle.
Don’t carry a passenger on a motor cycle unless it has an engine capacity exceeding 50 cc and unless your passenger is seated in a side-car or astride behind you on a pillion seat with his or her feet placed on foot-rests.
Not more than two persons shall ride on a motorcycle excluding a person riding in a side-car if attached to the motorcycle.
Not more than two adult persons shall ride in a side-car attached to a motor.
No person or animal or object shall be carried on a motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quad bike in front of the rider. A non-bulky object may carried in front of the rider provided it is properly secured and attached but at no time it should obstruct the rider’s view or prevent his or her complete control.
Riders, other than traffic officers in the performance of their duties, shall keep in single file except in the course of overtaking another motor cycle. Two or more motorcyclists shall not overtake another vehicle at the same time unless the road is divided into traffic lanes, then each lane, for the purposes of this paragraph and applicable to motorcycles only, shall be regarded as another road.
Riders of motorcycles, motor tricycles or quad bikes or their passengers shall take hold of any other vehicle in motion.
Riders must have at least one hand on the handlebars and keep all the wheels in contact with the surface of the road at all times.
EXCESSIVE NOISE
No person shall operate a vehicle emitting excessive noise which can be avoided by the exercise of reasonable care.
USE OF HOOTER
Don’t your hooter except when it is necessary to avoid an accident or on the grounds of safety.
PEDESTRIANS RIGHT OF WAY
Where a pedestrian crossing is controlled by a traffic signal (light), pedestrians must cross only when the lights are in their favour.
Drivers shall yield the right of way, slowing down or stopping for pedestrians crossing the road within a pedestrian crossing.
Pedestrian should not suddenly enter a pedestrian crossing and walk or run into the path of a vehicle.
When a vehicle has stopped at a pedestrian crossing other vehicles approaching from the rear shall not pass the stationary vehicle.
DUTIES OF PEDESTRIANS
If there is a sidewalk or footpath next to the road pedestrians shall not walk in the road except when crossing from one side to the other or for any other good reason.
Pedestrians on a road with no sidewalk or footpath shall walk as near as possible to the edge of the road on his or her right-hand side to face oncoming traffic except where pedestrians are prohibited by a traffic sign.
No pedestrian shall cross a road without checking that the road is sufficiently free from oncoming traffic to permit him or her to cross safely.
A pedestrian, when crossing a road at a pedestrian crossing or in any other manner, shall not linger on the road.
A pedestrian may cross a public road only at a pedestrian crossing or an intersection or at a distance further than 50 metres from such pedestrian crossing or intersection.
RACING AND SPORT
For the purposes of this regulation the expression “race or sport” includes
Any race, speed trial, reliability trial, hill climbing competition or sports meeting.
Any other activity whatsoever which may constitute a source of danger to traffic; or
which may hamper, impede or disrupt the normal flow of traffic.
No person shall organize or take part in any race or sport on a public road, unless with prior written consent of the MEC of that province.
CONVOYS
Drivers forming part of a convoy of motor vehicles being delivered to a motor dealer or other person shall not do so;
Between 6pm on a Friday or, in the case where such Friday is a public holiday, the preceding Thursday, and 6am on a Monday, or in the case where the Monday is a public holiday, the Tuesday (weekends)
Or between the 6pm on the day preceding Christmas Day and 6am on the day immediately succeeding the Day of Goodwill.
OBSTRUCTION OF TRAFFIC
No person shall intentionally prevent, hinder, or interrupt the free flow of traffic or cause danger or damage to traffic by placing or abandoning any object in the road.
ABANDONING OF VEHICLES
Any vehicle left in a public road in a position or in circumstances likely to cause danger or an obstruction to other traffic, may be removed by a traffic officer or person authorised by him or her.
Abandoned vehicles include those parked in a place where
The stopping of a vehicle is prohibited.
A vehicle of a class to which such vehicle belongs may not be parked.
or left for a continuous period of more than
24 hours in the same place on a road outside an urban area.
Seven days in the same place on a public road within an urban area.
Seven days on the site of any testing station.
or found on a public road
With no or false licence plates.
With no other number or anything affixed to the vehicle which could identify the owner.
DAMAGE TO PUBLIC ROADS
No person shall on a public road:
Cause any wheel of any vehicle to drag or spin except in the case of an emergency.
Use chocks or shoes between any wheel of a moving vehicle and the surface of such roadway.
Use a vehicle or thing or move any vehicle or thing on the roadway causing or likely to cause damage to the road.
FREEWAYS
No person shall operate on a freeway:
A vehicle drawn by an animal;
A pedal cycle;
A motor cycle having an engine with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cc or which is propelled by electrical power
A motor tricycle or quad bike.
A vehicle with a mass not exceeding 230 kilograms and specially designed, constructed or adapted for the use of a person suffering from a physical defect or disability
A tractor
No person shall be on a freeway on foot except within an area reserved for the stopping or parking by an appropriate traffic sign or road marking.
No one shall leave or allow an animal to be on a freeway except in or on a motor vehicle or within an area reserved for the stopping or parking of vehicles, or leave an animal in a place from where it may stray onto a freeway.
No person shall stop a vehicle on a freeway except
In compliance with a traffic sign or on orders from by a traffic officer;
Within an area reserved for the stopping or parking of vehicles by a traffic sign.
For any cause beyond his or her control.
No one shall give a hand signal when driving a motor vehicle on a freeway except for a cause beyond his or her control.