Question NW1095 to the Minister of Transport
03 May 2016 - NW1095
Robertson, Mr K to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)In light of various accidents involving ministerial security convoys, are government security details for Ministers (a) exempt from the National Road Traffic Act, Act 93 of 1996 Regulations and (b) ever (i) stopped and (ii) fined for road traffic act transgressions since 9 May 2009; if so, (2) (a) does the relevant department pay the fines involved and (b) has there been a national directive issued to all enforcement departments responsible for fine collections to ignore traffic fines via camera or any other means for vehicles belonging to the State; (3) what was the total amount of traffic fines that were issued to each Ministry in the (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16 financial years
Reply:
1. (a), Currently in terms of section 58 of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act No. 93 of 1996) more in particular subsection (3) it provides amongst others that a traffic officer or a person appointed in terms of the South African Police Service Act, 1995 (Act No. 68 of 1995), who drives a vehicle in the carrying out of his or her duties or any person issued with the necessary authorisation and driving a vehicle may disregard the directions of a road traffic sign which is displayed in the prescribed manner. Section 60 of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 provides further that, notwithstanding the provisions of section 59, such may exceed the applicable general speed limit.
(b) (i) and (ii) No, they are not stopped whilst travelling with their lights on and therefore no fines are issued.
(2) (a) If a fine has been issued the relevant department pays the fines involved.
(b) No, a directive has been issued to disregard any offences committed by the Unit or any motor vehicle belonging to the state.
(3) The information requested is not available.