NATIONAL ROAD TRAFFIC ACT 93 OF 1996

“abnormal vehicle” means any vehicle which is operated under a written exemption granted in terms of section 81 of the Act and any motor vehicle accompanying such abnormal vehicle as a condition for operation;

“agricultural vehicle” means a vehicle designed or adapted solely for agricultural activities and includes a tractor but does not include a goods vehicle;

“authorised vehicle” means any motor vehicle identified by means of -

(a) a number plate;

(b) an authorised symbol or name on the vehicle; or

(c) an authorised disc affixed to the inside of the windscreen of the vehicle, and whose identification is thereby compatible with that displayed on the appropriate road sign;

“construction vehicle” means a vehicle used in connection with road construction and road maintenance;

“delivery vehicle” means a goods vehicle, motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle, in the process of loading or unloading goods;

“disabled persons vehicle” means a motor vehicle conveying a person with a physical disability;

“emergency vehicle” means a fire-fighting vehicle, rescue vehicle, ambulance, a vehicle driven by a traffic officer in the execution of his or her duties, a vehicle driven by a member of the South African Police Service or a member of a municipal police service, both as defined in the South African Police Services Act, 1995 (Act No. 68 of 1995), in the execution of his or her duties, and a vehicle driven by a person responding to a disaster as contemplated in the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002);

[Definition of “emergency vehicle” substituted by GN R846/2014 w.e.f. 31 October 2014]

“e-road” means a toll road declared as a toll road in terms of section 27(1)(a)(i) of the South African National Roads Agency Limited and National Roads Act, 1998 (Act No. 7 of 1998), where liability to pay toll for use of the road is recorded at a toll plaza exclusively by means of any electrical or electronic device;

[Definition of “e-road” inserted by s. 2 of GN 758/2013]

“e-tag” means an electronic device that is fitted to a specific motor vehicle as contemplated in the Specification Regulations published in terms of section 58(1)(dB) of the South African National Roads Agency Limited and National Roads Act, 1998 (Act No. 7 of 1998) to identify that motor vehicle when it passes under a gantry; and

[Definition of “e-tag” inserted by s. 2 of GN 758/2013]

“e-toll” means toll that is collected by means of an electric or electronic collection system where a motor vehicle is identified by electric or electronic equipment and the liability to pay toll is incurred when the user of the motor vehicle passes through a toll plaza and must arrange to pay toll as determined in terms of section 27 and 58 of the South African National Roads Agency Limited and National Roads Act, 1998 (Act No. 7 of 1998);

[Definition of “e-toll” inserted by s. 2 of GN 758/2013]

“hawker” means a person who sells or trades goods;

“high occupancy vehicle” means a motor vehicle in which the number of occupants equals or exceeds the number indicated on an appropriate road traffic sign;

“minibus” means a bus which is designed or adapted solely for the conveyance of not more than 35 persons, excluding the driver;

“mini-circle” means a type of small traffic circle, entry to which is controlled by sign R2.2;

“painted island” means an island marked on the road surface that serves as a channelizing device within a junction or in a public road;

“rickshaw” means a vehicle with two wheels designed to be pulled by a person;

“selective restriction sign” means a regulatory sign which comprises of a two part message which is such that the lower message modifies or qualifies the significance of the upper message;

“taxi” means a motor car, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle which is designed or adapted for the conveyance of up to nine persons, including the driver, and is operated for reward;

“tour bus” means a minibus, midibus or a bus which is operated by or leased to a tour operator and which is solely or principally used to convey tourists,

“traffic circle” means a junction which contains a traffic or painted island, around which a road user travels in a clockwise direction, and “roundabout” shall have the same meaning;

“tram” means a device that operates on rails within a public road;

“variable message sign” means a road sign which is capable of varying its message by manual or remote control to display a different message to the message last displayed and the road sign may be light reflecting or light emitting; and

“zig-zag-zone” means that section of roadway delineated by a zig-zag-zone line marking RM11.

285. Purpose, classification and types of road traffic signs

(1) A road traffic sign shall have one of the following purposes:

(a) Regulatory, that is a road traffic sign which directs a road user to take or not to take a specific action;

(b) warning, that is a road traffic sign calling attention to conditions on a public road which are dangerous or potentially dangerous to road users; or

(c) guidance or information, that is a road traffic sign indicating a destination, direction, distance, amenity, facility, place of interest, tourist attraction or location, or any combination of these, or a road traffic sign which imparts general information or advice to road users.

(2) Road traffic signs shall be divided into the following classes:

(a) Class 1: Road signs-

(i) regulatory signs-

(aa) control signs;

(bb) command signs;

(cc) prohibition signs;

(dd) reservation signs;

(ee) comprehensive signs;

(ff) exclusive secondary signs; and

(gg) derestriction signs;

(ii) warning signs

(aa) advance warning signs

(aaa) road layout signs;

(bbb) direction of movement signs; and

(ccc) symbolic signs;

(bb) hazard marker warning signs; and

(iii) guidance signs

(aa) location signs;

(bb) route marker signs;

(cc) direction signs;

(dd) freeway direction signs;

(ee) tourism direction signs;

(ff) diagrammatic signs;

(gg) local direction signs;

(hh) pedestrian signs; and

(ii) toll direction signs;

(iv) information signs;

(b) Class II: Road markings-

(i) regulatory markings-

(aa) transverse regulatory markings; and

(bb) longitudinal regulatory markings;

(ii) warning markings; and

(iii) guidance markings; and

(i) regulatory signals-

(aa) traffic signals

(aaa) vehicular light signals;

(bbb) pedestrian light signals; and

(ccc) pedal cycle light signals;

(bb) red flashing signal:

(cc) overhead lane direction control signals; and

(dd) other regulatory signals; and

(ii) warning signals

(aa) warning flashing signals; and

(bb) warning flag signals.

(2A) The road traffic signs which fall under the classes referred to in subregulation (2) are contained in Schedule 1 and shall have the significance ascribed to it in that Schedule.

(3) A regulatory, warning, guidance or information sign for which a temporary sign number is allocated may be used in the temporary sign colours as prescribed by regulation 286A(1)(b): Provided that this provision shall not apply to any control regulatory sign, location guidance sign or tourism direction guidance sign.

(4) (a) When no specific symbol is available for the regulatory or warning message

required, a word message may be used on the background of a regulatory or warning sign of standard shape, size and colour, and the letters used shall be black semi-matt on a white or yellow background or white on a blue background.

(b) The lettering shall substantially conform to one of the standard letter styles detailed in the Southern African Development Community Road Traffic Signs Manual and shall be of a maximum size permitted by the space available and the message to be displayed, but shall not be less than 70 millimetres in height.

286. Dimensions for manufacture of road traffic signs

(1) (a) The minimum external dimensions in millimetres of regulatory and warning signs

are given in relation to the speed limit in kilometres per hour pertaining to the section of public road on which the signs are erected: Provided that a tolerance of five percent below such minimum dimension shall be permissible.

(b) The minimum dimensions and speed referred to in subregulation (1) shall, subject to paragraph (c) be

(i) for circular regulatory signs as shown in the table below:

SIGN TYPE

Speed limit

0-60

61 -80

81 -100

101 -120

Diameter

General

Overhead

Parking and Stopping

600

900

450

900

1 200

900

1 200

1200

1 600

1 200

Provided that

(aa) a stop sign shall be the same size as a circular sign except for a sign used by a scholar patrol which may be a minimum of 450 millimetres in diameter;

(bb) a sign for pedestrians and cyclists may be a minimum of 300 millimetres in diameter; or

(cc) a keep left sign used on the vertical face of a bollard may be a minimum of 300 millimetres in diameter;

(ii) for triangular regulatory and warning signs as shown in the table below:

Speed limit

0-60

61 -80

81 -100

101 -120

Side length

900

1 200

1500

(iii) for rectangular regulatory signs as shown in the table below:

SIGN TYPE

Speed limit

0-60

61 -80

81 -100

101 -120

Height x width

General

Overhead

Parking and Stopping

Bus and minibus stop

600 x 450

900 x 675

445 x 338

450 x 225

900 x 675

1200 x 900

900 x 675

600 x 300

1200 x 900

800 x 400

1200 x 900

1600 x 1200

1200 x 900

900 x 450

Provided that a one way roadway sign shall be of a minimum height of 450 millimetres and a minimum width of 600 millimetres.

(i) Sign R1.3 and R1.4 shall be of the same size as one side of stop sign R1;

(ii) the lower part of sign R2.1 shall be as shown in the table below:

Speed limit

0-60

61-80

81-100

101-120

Height x width

300 x 225

450 x 338

600 x 450

750 x 563

(iii) sign R5 shall be of a minimum side length of 450 millimetres;

(iv) an exclusive secondary message sign shall be of the same length as the diameter or width of the upper sign in such sign combination;

(v) signs W401, W402 and W415 shall be of the minimum dimensions as shown in the table below:

Speed limit

0-60

61-80

81-100

101-120

Height x width

600 x 150

800 x 200

(vi) signs W403 and W404 shall be of the minimum dimensions as shown in the table below:

Speed limit

0-60

61-80

81-100

101-120

Diagonal

1 015

1 200

1200

(vii) signs W405 to W410 and W414 shall be of the minimum dimensions as shown in the table below:

Speed limit

0-60

61-80

81-100

101-120

Height

450

600

Provided that sign W414 shall have a minimum height of 600 millimetre and a width of 1 600 millimetres, irrespective of the speed limit, when used in conjunction with sign GA4.

(viii) sign TW411 shall be of the minimum dimensions as shown in the table below:

Speed limit

0-60

61 -80

81 -100

101 -120

Height x width

200 x 1 200

300 x 1 800

400 x 2 400

(ix) sign TW412 shall be of the minimum dimensions as shown in the table below:

Speed limit

0-60

61 -80

81 -100

Height x width

450 x 900

600 x 1 200

(x) sign W413 shall be of the minimum dimensions as shown in the table below:

Speed limit

0-60

61 -80

81 -100

101 -120

Height x width

600 x 350

800 x 466

(2) (a) The minimum width of a longitudinal road marking shall be 100 millimetres:

Provided that a tolerance of 10 percent below such minimum dimension shall be permissible.

(b) The minimum length of a continuous longitudinal road marking shall be nine metres on a public road in an urban area and 12 metres on any other public road: Provided that this provision shall not apply to such marking used to mark the edge of a painted island.

(i) for road marking RTM1 in an urban area, 300 millimetres and in any other area 500 millimetres;

(ii) for road marking RTM2 in an urban area, 200 millimetres and in any other area 300 millimetres;

(iii) for road marking RTM4, 2 400 millimetres;

(iv) for road marking GM5, 300 millimetres, and

(v) for any other transverse road marking, 100 millimetres.

(3) The minimum diameter of any disc light signal of a traffic signal shall be 210 millimetres:

Provided that a tolerance of 10 percent below such dimension shall be permissible.

(4) The specific dimensions of a road traffic sign and of the letter styles and symbols used on such sign shall be substantially in conformity with the requirements laid down in the Southern African Development Community Road Traffic Signs Manual - Volume 4.

286A.Colours for manufacture of road traffic signs

(1) (a) The colours of a road traffic sign shall be as indicated in Schedule 1.

(b) Where a temporary version of a road sign is provided for, by means of a temporary number allocated to such sign, the colour of such sign shall be altered so that-

(i) a white symbol, letter or border becomes black semi-matt and any super-imposed black symbol becomes white retro-reflective;

(ii) the yellow symbol on signs R302 and R303 and any yellow letters, numerals or punctuation marks become black semi-matt, or

(iii) a white, blue or green background becomes yellow retro-reflective: Provided that:

(aa) a red border or other area stays red except that-

(aaa) the border of a temporary diagrammatic sign or high visibility sign becomes black semi-matt; or

(bbb) the red areas on signs W401, W402 and W405 to W410 become

black semi-matt;

(bb) the superimposed coloured portions of symbols on signs R126, R232, R316, R321, R322, R316-P, R321-P, R322-P, W301, W302 and W303 stay as they are; and

(cc) any other yellow symbol stays yellow but is surrounded by a thin black semi-matt border.

(c) Where only a temporary version of a road sign is provided for it shall conform to the temporary colours referred to in paragraph (b).

(2) Where a road traffic sign is required to be of any specific colour or colours, such colours shall be in conformity with the following specifications published by the South African Bureau of Standards:

(a) For red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, white and brown retro-reflective material and for red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, white, grey, black and brown paint, the coefficient of retro-reflection, the colour, luminance factor and specular gloss, as the case may be, prior to weathering, of the standard specification SABS 1519 “Road signs”, and the words “coefficient of retro-reflection, colour, luminance factor, specular gloss and weathering”, shall bear the same meaning as assigned thereto by such specification;

(b) for yellow, white, black and red road marking material and golden yellow paint, standard specification SABS 1091 national colour standards for paint;

(d) for red, yellow and green illuminated traffic signals, standard specification SABS 1459 “Traffic Lights”.

(3) If a road traffic sign is displayed with a colour which differs in shade from the colour specified in subregulation (2), the validity of such sign shall, in the absence of evidence of prejudice, not be affected thereby.

(4) The reverse side of a road sign, other than a road sign with an aluminium background, shall be grey, except that, irrespective of the material of manufacture, the reverse side of a stop sign shall be white semi-matt.

(5) Subject to the provisions of this Part, the colour of the standard or post specifically erected for the display of a road sign shall, where the standard or post is-

(a) of steel, be grey: Provided that if the steel has. been treated this requirement shall not apply;

(b) of wood, be the colour of the wood as treated or painted grey or brown; and

(c) of concrete, be the natural colour of the concrete, and in the case of a road signal the standard, post or cantilever shall be golden yellow, portions of which may be retro-reflective; Provided that this provision shall not be applicable to an overhead traffic signal mounted on a gantry.

[Para. (c) substituted by GN R1341/2003]

(6) Light reflecting variable message road signs shall conform to the dimensional and colour requirements in this regulation.

(7) (a) Light emitting variable message road signs may be used to display a regulatory,

warning, guidance or information message.

(b) Any light emitting variable message road sign which conveys a regulatory or warning message shall display the message-

(i) in the same shape as the equivalent standard sign;

(ii) with an illuminated red or white border as the case may be; and

(iii) with an illuminated message in white letters, numbers or symbols on a semi-matt black background.

(8) Retro-reflective material referred to in subregulation (2)(a) shall bear a permanent mark to identify the class and the manufacturer of such material.

287. Manner of display of road signs and road signals

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Part, a road sign or a road signal shall-

(a) be displayed on a public road where its significance is applicable, to face oncoming traffic;

(b) be placed in a position and at a height which is the most advantageous with regard to the design, alignment and other features of the public road concerned; and

(i) the Southern African Development Community Road Traffic Signs Manual Volume One and Four; and

(ii) the South African Road Traffic Signs Manual Volume Two and Three.

[Para. (c) substituted by GN R881/2004]

(2) A temporary road sign shall only be used for a temporary condition.

(3) Where an association or club is authorised to display a road traffic sign as referred to in section 57(6) of the Act, no badge or other token on any such road traffic sign shall be outside the outline of such road traffic sign: Provided that in any case where this is not possible, it shall be in the immediate proximity to the junction of the road traffic sign with the standard or post and contained in an area not exceeding 10 percent of the area of the face of such sign: Provided further that in all other cases the badge or token may be placed where space is available on the road traffic sign, preferably in a corner, but the nearest edge of the badge or token shall not be more than 100 millimetres from the edge of the road traffic sign.

(4) If a road sign or road signal is mounted over a portion of the roadway, the minimum clearance between the underside of the sign or signal and the road surface shall be five comma two metres, except for signs R204, W415 and W320.

(5) In the case where two road traffic signs are in conflict with one another -

(a) a temporary road traffic sign shall take precedence over any other sign;

(b) subject to paragraph (a), a control regulatory sign and a traffic signal shall have precedence over any other sign; and

(c) a bus, midibus or minibus stop sign shall take precedence over a parking or stopping sign including a no parking and no stopping sign.

(6) (a) A road traffic sign may be used in combination with another road traffic sign on

the same post to-

(i) selectively restrict the application of the road traffic sign by displaying a two part message where the lower message modifies the significance of the upper message;

(ii) improve the comprehensibility of the sign by means of a warning sign or supplementary information plate; and

(iii) improve the conspicuity of the road traffic sign as contemplated in subregulation (9).

(b) The combinations referred to in paragraph (a) shall not comprise of combinations of permanent and temporary signs.

(7) Examples of sign combinations are shown in the Annexure to Schedule 1.

(8) A road traffic sign may be supplemented to improve the comprehensibility of such sign by-

(a) in the case of a regulatory sign or signal or warning sign, the addition below the sign of an information or supplementary plate; and

(b) the inclusion of a regulatory or warning sign within a guidance sign.

(9) (a) The conspicuity of a road traffic sign may be improved by-

(i) displaying such sign on a high visibility background;

(ii) displaying such sign in combination with one or more yellow flashing signals; or

(iii) internal or external illumination.

(b) The colours of a high visibility background shall be-

(i) for a permanent sign, white retro-reflective for the background and red retro-reflective for the border; or

(ii) for a temporary sign, yellow retro-reflective for the background and black semi-matt for the border.

(10) When a continuous longitudinal road marking is used in combination with road studs, small breaks in the continuity of the road marking may occur to accommodate such road studs.

287A.Manner of display of traffic signal

(1) (a) A traffic signal shall-

(i) comprise of light signals arranged vertically so that the topmost signal is red, the central signal is yellow and the lower signal is green: Provided that-

(aa) the topmost signal may include more than one red light signal arranged horizontally;

(bb) the central light signal may include more than one yellow light signal arranged horizontally;

(cc) the lower light signal may include more than one green light signal arranged vertically or horizontally;

(dd) a special supplementary traffic signal S10L and S10R may be used with only a yellow and a green arrow;

(ee) a pedestrian traffic signal S11 shall comprise two light signals arranged vertically and the upper light signal shall be red and the lower light signal shall be green;

(ff) a special traffic signal S12 may comprise of two light signals arranged vertically and the upper light signal shall be red and the lower light signal shall be green; and

(gg) a pedal cyclist traffic signal S12 shall comprise two light signals arranged vertically and the upper light signal shall be red and the lower light signal shall be green;

(ii) have a basic sequence which shall be red, green, yellow and red and the cycle time shall be such as may be required by the movement of traffic; and

(iii) be so designed that the traffic signal head prevents, as far as possible, any traffic signal from being seen from a direction to which its light signals do not apply.

(b) At a signalised junction, signalised slipway or a signalised pedestrian or pedal cyclist crossing, the following traffic signal faces shall be provided for the control of vehicular traffic for each direction from which vehicular traffic may approach the junction, slipway or crossing:

(i) at least two traffic signal faces that contain red light signals shall be provided on the far side of the stop line RTM1 at locations -

(aa) that are not on the near side of a junction or slipway;

(bb) that are not less than six metres from the stop line RTM1;

(cc) such that the two traffic signal faces shall not be less than three metres and not more than 20 metres apart: Provided that where it is unavoidable that the traffic signals are more than 20 metres apart, additional principal traffic signals shall be provided in such a manner that no traffic signals are more than 20 metres apart; and

(dd) at a signalised junction, but not a pedestrian or pedal cyclist crossing, where a straight-through movement is permitted from an approach to the junction, and where the roadway continues straight through the junction, a traffic signal face for the control of straight-through movements shall be provided, subject to the requirements of subparagraphs (aa) to (cc), on either side of the roadway on the far side of the junction: Provided that when the roadway is divided at the junction by a constructed median island of adequate width to accommodate a signal, the right-hand traffic signal face shall be situated on the median island.

(ii) At a signalised junction or slipway, but not a pedestrian or pedal cyclist crossing, at least one traffic signal face containing a red light signal shall be provided on the near side of the junction or slipway, on the left- or right-hand side of the roadway at a position not further than three metres from the prolongation of the stop line RTM1.

(iii) When a separate left- or right-turn signal is required, at least two traffic signal faces that incorporate a flashing green arrow light signal, flashing green bus light signal or a flashing green tram light signal, shall be provided, one on the far side of the stop line RTM1 subject to subparagraphs (i) (aa) and (bb), and the other on the far or near side;

(iv) A traffic signal which could, prior to the commencement of this subregulation, validly be displayed in terms of the Act, may, notwithstanding the provision of this regulation be displayed on a public road until 31 December 2010.

(c) Additional traffic signal faces may be provided at the junction or crossing at any suitable location, even if the minimum requirements of paragraph (b) have been met.

(d) A slipway for traffic turning left or right at a junction which is traffic signal controlled, shall be separated from the lane to the right or left of such slipway by a constructed island.

(e) When a separate right hand turn light signal is required, at least two traffic signals that incorporate a green arrow light signal shall be provided on two separate supports subject to the requirement of paragraph (c) and at least one of such traffic signals shall be a S8 traffic signal.

(f) A background screen shall be provided for each vehicular signal face, and such background screen shall comply with standard specifications SABS 1459-1988 “Traffic lights”: Provided that traffic signals that could, prior to the commencement of this regulation, be displayed without a background screen may, notwithstanding the provision of this regulation be displayed on a public road until 31 December 2010.

(g) A background screen may be provided for pedestrian and pedal cyclist signal faces and such screens shall comply with standard specifications SABS 1459-1988 “Traffic lights”.

(h) Where it is necessary to increase the conspicuity of a traffic signal, the border of the background screen provided for a signal face may be retro-reflective.

(i) A Traffic Signal Arrow Sign (ST1 to ST5) may be displayed vertically above a traffic signal face to indicate that any light signal installed in the signal face only applies to the direction of movement indicated by the arrow sign.

(2) The traffic control at a junction or pedestrian or pedal cyclist crossing may include the use of road signs, road markings and road signals and the control precedence shall be as follows:

(a) A road sign which prohibits or prescribes directional movement of traffic at a junction or pedestrian or pedal cyclist crossing which is controlled by a traffic signal, shall have precedence over any light signal which permits right of way.

(b) A light signal that permits right of way shall have precedence over the stop line RTM1.

(c) A light signal that has the significance that traffic shall stop, has precedence over any other road traffic sign or another light signal that permits right of way, except when such other light signal has a higher precedence level. The precedence levels for light signals are as follows, given from the highest to lowest precedence level:

(i) steady or flashing pedestrian and pedal cyclist light signals;

(ii) steady or flashing bus or tram light signals;

(iii) steady or flashing arrow signals, or steady disc signals with traffic signal arrow signs ST1 to ST5; and

(iv) steady disc light signals.

(3) No road sign except -

(a) a street name sign;

(b) a direction route marker sign;

(c) information signs IN14 and IN15 and pedestrian and pedal cyclist signs relating to the function of the traffic signal

(d) a one-way roadway sign;

(e) a no-entry sign;

(f) a left-turn prohibited, right-turn prohibited or a U-turn prohibited sign;

(g) a proceed straight through only, proceed left only, or proceed right only sign;

(h) a pedestrian prohibited sign R218; or

(i) a traffic signal arrow sign ST1 to ST5;

shall be used in conjunction with a traffic signal, and such signs may be mounted on the same post or overhead cantilever or gantry as that of the traffic signal.

(4) When no light signal is illuminated on an approach to a signalised junction, the driver of a vehicle shall act as for a 3-way stop sign R1.3 or a 4-way stop sign R1.4

(5) A traffic signal may be placed in a mode of operation indicating that it is out of order, and this mode of operation shall be that either all the light signals shall not be illuminated, or that all vehicular red light signals shall be flashing and pedestrian and pedal cyclist light signals shall be switched off.

(6) A flashing red left arrow light signal shall not be used in conjunction with a green man light signal at a junction, provided that the flashing red left arrow light signal shall not be displayed after 31 December 2010.

(7) Every flashing light signal shall operate at a cycle frequency of between one and two flashes per second.

(8) (a) A flashing red signal shall comprise a red disc light signal.

(b) When red flashing signals are used at a railway crossing two light signals shall-

(i) be mounted below stop sign R1 and above railway line hazard marker W403 or W404, as applicable;

(ii) be illuminated in an alternating flashing mode only when a train is approaching; and

(iii) be situated on the near side of the railway crossing, on the left side of each approach roadway.

(9) Overhead lane direction control signals shall-

(a) comprise light signals, S16, S17, S18 and S19 mounted side by side with S16 on the right of S17 and S18 or S19 in advance of S16 and S17 as viewed by a driver, above each lane subjected to reversed flow traffic movement and for both directions of movement: Provided that, if the light signal is a matrix of light sources signals 16 and 17 may comprise one unit for each lane and for both directions of movement in that lane;

(b) conform to the requirements of SABS 1459 “Traffic Lights”;

(c) be so mounted that the centre of the light signals is not more than six comma two metres above the roadway and the lower edge not less than five comma two metres above the roadway; and

(d) not be displayed over a lane to indicate the permitted direction of traffic movement except when such lane is subject to reversed flow in the direction of traffic movement.

(10) A flag shall be 600 millimetres by 600 millimetres and shall be red or orange.

(11) (a) A responsible registered professional engineer or registered professional

technologist (engineering) of the road authority concerned shall approve every traffic signal installation at a signalised junction or pedestrian or pedal cyclist crossing, and sign a declaration containing the following:

(i) scaled drawing of the layout of the junction or crossing, indicating lane markings and road layout;

(ii) number, type and location of traffic signal faces;

(iii) number, type and location of pedestrian and pedal cyclist facilities, including pedestrian push buttons;

(iv) phasing, time plans and offset settings;

(v) date of implementation; and

(vi) name, signature and registration number of the engineer or technologist (engineering) who approved the signal, and date of signature.

(b) The declaration shall be kept by the road authority in control of the traffic signal concerned.

(12) A sliplane for traffic turning left at an intersection which is traffic signal controlled, shall be separated from the lane to the right of such sliplane by a constructed island.

[Reg. 287A substituted by GN R1341/2003]

288. Signs regulating parking, stopping and hawkers

(1) A regulatory sign relating to the parking of a vehicle and the prohibition of hawkers shall be displayed at each end and on that side of a portion of the public road where the significance of such sign is applicable: Provided that-

(a) no junction shall be included in any such section of public road;

(b) any other regulatory road traffic sign may be displayed within any such section of public road in which event such regulatory road traffic sign shall prevail over any sign relating to the parking of a vehicle;

(c) in respect of any section of a public road which lies between the nearest intersecting public roads and which does not exceed 75 metres in length, parking or hawking may be prohibited or restricted in such section by displaying only one appropriate sign; and

(d) where the significance of such sign is to apply to any portion of a public road other than the side of such public road-

(i) such sign may be displayed on that portion of such public road to which its significance is to apply or on any traffic island or other raised area surrounded by the roadway of such public road, adjacent to such portion;

(ii) in the case of a parking prohibited sign, its significance shall apply to any parking bay demarcated at a distance of not more than 500 millimetres from such sign and if that bay is one of several demarcated parking bays adjoining one another, to all such adjoining parking bays within a distance of 75 metres from such sign and for the purposes of this paragraph parking bays demarcated within two and a half metres of each other shall be deemed to be adjoining parking bays.

(2) A regulatory sign prohibiting or restricting the stopping of a vehicle, shall be displayed at each end and on that side of the section of a public road where the significance thereof is to be applicable: Provided that-

(a) no junction shall be included in any such section of public road;

(b) in respect of any section of public road which lies between the nearest intersecting public roads and which does not exceed 75 metres in length, stopping may be prohibited or restricted in such section by displaying only one appropriate sign.

(3) A regulatory sign relating to the parking, stopping of a vehicle or the prohibition of hawkers, shall, unless it is displayed with the face parallel to the lateral line of the public road, display a similar sign on the reverse side.

289. Authority to enter premises contrary to regulatory sign

Where a regulatory sign applies which reserves a public road or portion of a public road for a specific category of vehicle, the driver of a vehicle, other than the driver of a vehicle of the class referred to by such sign, may only cross such public road, or the portion of such public road, if-

(a) he or she cannot otherwise enter or leave any premises adjacent to such road or portion of public road; and

(b) it is safe to do so.

290. Prohibition of advertising on public roads

(1) No person shall display or allow to be displayed any advertising material on or attached to a road traffic sign, except -

(a) that a single advertisement may be displayed on each side of a street name sign GL1 or a suburb name sign GL2 in combination with such signs;

(b) where the manufacturer of such sign displays his or her name at the back of that sign; or

Provided that it shall be displayed substantially in conformity with the Southern African Development Community Road Traffic Signs Manual.

(2) No person shall use or portray a road traffic sign in an advertisement where such advertisement is visible for a road user while travelling on a public road.

(3) No person may-

(a) operate on a public road a motor vehicle on which it appears or is displayed any electronic device or lights emitting advertisement; or

(b) display on a stationary motor vehicle any electronic device or lights emitting advertisement visible from a public road or land adjacent to such public road, or cause it to be so displayed:

Provided that the provision of subregulation (3) shall not apply to lamp illuminating notice, or identification lamps as referred to in regulation 173 (1), (2), 176 (1) and taxi tops bearing an advertisement or information on top of metered taxis operating in terms of an operating licence issued in accordance with the provisions of the NLTTA.

(4) No person shall display or cause to be displayed any directional sign displaying or depicting the sale of liquor products visible on a public road, or permit it to be so displayed.

[Reg. 290 substituted by GN R589/2009]

291. Transitional provision

(1) A road traffic sign which could, prior to the commencement of this Part, validly be displayed in terms of the Act, may, notwithstanding the provisions of this Part be displayed on a public road until 31 December 2000.

(2) A road traffic sign contemplated in subregulation (1) has the same meaning assigned to a corresponding road traffic sign in Schedule 1: Provided that a stop sign R1 which could have been displayed prior to the commencement of this Part shall, when it is displayed as a 3-way or 4-way stop sign, have the same significance as stop signs R1.3 and R1.4, respectively, as in Schedule 1.

Part II

Speed limits

292. General speed limits

A general speed limit of-

(a) 60 kilometres per hour shall apply in respect of every public road or section thereof, situated within an urban area;

(b) 100 kilometres per hour shall apply in respect of every public road or section thereof, other than a freeway, situated outside an urban area; and

292A. Prohibition on speed detectors, jammers and similar devices

(1) No person may operate on a public road a motor vehicle in which is fitted or affixed to such motor vehicle any device that interferes or detect the use of a speed monitoring or measuring device;

(2) No person may have in his or her possession whilst travelling in a motor vehicle a device that interferes or detects the use of a speed monitoring or measuring device.

[Reg. 292A inserted by GN R589/2009]

293. Speed limit for particular class of vehicle

(1) In terms of section 59(3) of the Act, a speed limit of-

(a) 80 kilometres per hour shall, subject to the proviso to the said section, apply in respect to-

(i) a goods vehicle the gross vehicle mass of which exceeds 9 000 kilograms;

(ii) a combination of motor vehicles consisting of a goods vehicle, being the drawing vehicle, and one or two trailers of which the sum of the gross vehicle mass of the goods vehicle and of the trailer or trailers exceeds 9 000 kilograms;

(iii) an articulated motor vehicle, of which the gross combination mass of the truck-tractor exceeds 9 000 kilograms; or

(iv) any breakdown vehicle that is towing another vehicle;

(b) 100 kilometres per hour shall, subject to the proviso to the said section, apply in respect of -

(i) a bus; and

(ii) a minibus or a midibus operating in terms of an operating licence;

(iii) a rapid transport bus and a rapid transport bus-train;

[Subpara. (iii) inserted by GN 359/2010]

[Para. (b) amended by GN R881/2004 and substituted by GN 871/2005 and GN R891/2006]

(2)

(a) There shall be displayed on the rear of a goods vehicle contemplated in subregulation (1)(a), a sign denoting that such goods vehicle is subject to a speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour, and such sign shall comply with the requirements of SANS 1329 “Retro-reflective and Fluorescent Warning Signs for Road Vehicles”, Part 3: Signs other than triangles, chevron signs and abnormal load vehicle signs, with respect to the colours displayed on such sign.”

[Para. (a) substituted by GN R846/2014 w.e.f. 31 October 2014]

(b) There shall be displayed on the rear of a motor vehicle referred to in subregulation (1)(b) a sign denoting that such vehicle is subject to a speed limit of 100 kilometres per hour, and such sign shall comply with the requirements of the standard specification referred to in paragraph (a) with respect to the colours displayed on such sign.

(3) Notwithstanding any provision in these regulations, for the purposes of this regulation, the term goods vehicle shall not include a haulage tractor.

[Subreg. (3) added by GN R846/2014 w.e.f. 31 October 2014]

[Reg. 293 substituted by GN R1341/2003]

294. Speed limit in relation to tyres

Notwithstanding the provisions of regulations 292 and 293, no person shall operate on a public road a motor vehicle which is fitted with pneumatic tyres, at a speed in excess of the speed referred to in the standard specification SABS 1550 “Motor Vehicle Tyres and Rims: Dimensions and Loads”, Part 1: “General”, Part 2: “Passenger car tyres”, Part 3: “Commercial vehicle tyres”, or as approved by the manufacturer of the tyre concerned.

295. Speed limit in relation to braking capability

(1) No person shall operate on a public road a tractor, haulage tractor or trailer referred to in regulation 154(2) at a speed in excess of 40 kilometres per hour.

(2) A motor vehicle referred to in subregulation (1) may be fitted with a sign denoting that such vehicle is subject to a speed restriction of 40 kilometres per hour, which sign shall comply with the requirements of standard specification SANS 1329 “Retro-reflective and Fluorescent Warning Signs for Road Vehicles”, Part 3: “Signs other than triangles, chevron signs and abnormal load vehicle signs” with respect to the colours and size displayed on such sign.

[Reg. 295 substituted by GN R846/2014 w.e.f. 31 October 2014]