Question NW321 to the Minister of Transport

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28 March 2017 - NW321

Profile picture: De Freitas, Mr MS

De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Transport

With regard to vehicle roadworthiness checks conducted when vehicles are stopped on roads, (a)(i) who conducts such vehicle roadworthiness checks and (ii) what qualifies them to undertake such checks, (b) what is entailed when conducting such checks, (c) what is actually checked and (d) how are such checks undertaken?

Reply:

a) (i) The law enforcement officer such as Traffic Officer, Police Officer, Peace Officer, etc.

  (ii) What qualifies them to undertake such checks?

  • They undergo the Training
  • After the completion of training, they register as such
  • For anyone to qualify they have to be appointed as:

- National Traffic Officer in terms of Section 3A (1) (a) of Act, 1996 (Act 93 of 1996)

- Provincial or Local Traffic Officers in terms of Road Traffic Act, 1989(Act No. 29 0f 1989)

- Police Officer in terms of Section 334(3)(a) of the Criminal Procedure Act,1977(Act No. 51 of 1977)

- Peace Officer in terms of Section 334(1) (a) of Criminal Procedure Act, 1977(Act No. 51 of 1977)

  • They are issued with an appointment card

b) A Safe Roadside vehicle check point

c) Officers checked the:

  • A Driver and a Vehicle fitness
  • The relevant documentation for the driver and the vehicle

d) An Officer on duty, will pull over the vehicle in a safe manner from to the side of the road.

When the vehicle is safely stopped, an Officer approaches the driver of the vehicle.

He/she will greet the driver and explain the reason for stopping the vehicle.

Whilst observing driver fitness, will request a driver’s licence and check the validity thereof.

An Officer will then check the vehicle roadworthiness systematically starting at the driver from inside and outside the vehicle by checking:

  • Parking and Service brakes
  • Pedals (Clutch, Brake and Accelerator)
  • Odometer
  • Interior and Exterior mirror on the driver’s side
  • A warning Device
  • Driver Seatbelt
  • Driver’s door
  • Front right tyre, wheelnuts
  • Windscreen
  • Right Windscreen wiper
  • Right front lamp
  • Direction Indicator on the front right side
  • Front Number Plate compare it with the number plate on the licence disc
  • Left front lamp
  • Direction Indicator on left front
  • Ask the driver to open the Bonnet and an Officer check oil leaks and exposed wires
  • Left front tyre, wheelnuts
  • Left Exterior mirror
  • Licence Disc(validity)
  • Left front door
  • Left front Seatbelt
  • Left rear door
  • Left rear Seatbelt
  • Left rear tyre, wheelnuts
  • Left rear lamp
  • Left rear Direction Indicator
  • Left Stop lamp
  • Rear Number Plate( compare it with the front Number Plate)
  • Number Plate lamps
  • Rear right Lamp
  • Rear right Stop lamp
  • Rear right tyre, wheelnuts
  • Exhaust
  • Rear right door

If all is in good working order, an Officer will return a driver’s licence to the driver with an original copy of check form (marked) release him/her and direct him/her safely back to the road.

If there is any defect found during the inspection, an Officer will issue an infringement to the driver, thereafter release him/her and direct him/her safely back to the road.

If the documentation or the driver’s licence is not valid or relevant to the vehicle, an Officer will arrest the driver.

If an Officer suspects that the driver is driving under the influence, he/she will test the driver using relevant equipment and if the results are positive, then the driver will be arrested and handed to the Police for further handling.

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