07 Apr 2014

The deputy director of traffic, Assistant Commissioner Committee Tlalanyane says the shoulder lane can only be used during emergencies and not for any other purpose.

However, Mr Tlalanyane said emergency vehicles such as ambulances and police cars may use the shoulder lane as a driving lane to by-pass traffic congestion while in the course of duty. He said other vehicles were allowed to pull over to the shoulder lane in the event of a breakdown.

“This will allow them to get out of the flow of traffic and obtain greater degree of safety. But typically speaking the shoulder is not for use by moving traffic,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner Tlalanyane also warned motorists not to use the shoulder lane as an extra lane for overtaking because this might cause unnecessary accidents.

He said one can use the lane temporarily to make way for other vehicles that may be moving at a faster speed. He added that the minimum charge for failure to obey road traffic signs and using the shoulder lane for overtaking was between P1 000 and P5 000.

He noted that the shoulder lane also provides additional space should a motorist need to take action such as avoiding a wrong-way driver, avoiding an accident or when fighting to regain control of a vehicle.

He said in some countries shoulder lanes were used as travel lanes during peak commuting hours or by pedestrians and cyclists in rural areas without sidewalks.

Assistant Commissioner Tlalanyane added that motorists could only go through a red traffic light when they think their lives are in danger. He said everyone, including expectant mothers, was required by law to put on their seat belts.

“Seat belts are designed in a friendly manner and pregnancy cannot be used as an excuse. In fact the law has been amended to ensure that all passengers in the vehicle are required to wear their seat belts,” he said. ENDS