Please find herewith a media release with respect to warning triangles in motor cars.

It has recently come to our attention that motor car drivers are getting fined for this offence when all else fails and we believe that is in the public interest to be reminded of this, seemingly little known requirement.

The full text of the release appears below my signature.

Best Regards,

Howard Dembovsky
National Chairman - Justice Project South Africa
“Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there” – Will Rogers
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 418 6210
Fax: +27 (0) 86 647 3293
Website: www.jp-sa.org
"Evil can only triumph where good people do nothing"


MEDIA RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TO: ALL NEWS EDITORS
SUBJECT: WARNING TRIANGLES IN MOTOR CARS
ISSUED BY: JUSTICE PROJECT SOUTH AFRICA
DATE OF ISSUE: MONDAY 19 JULY 2010

It is a little known fact is that warning triangles are required in all motor cars registered after 1 July 2006, regardless of their size and apparently some motor dealers (new and used), along with most members of the public are equally unaware of this fact.

After several fines of R250 each started getting queried with Justice Project South Africa (JPSA) by members of the public who had received them for not carrying a warning triangle in their motor cars, we investigated this and were categorically told by TMPD head of prosecutions, Basil Nkwashu that this regulation is in force and the fine issued by one of his officers would stand if the car had been registered after 1 July 2006.

Subsequently, Mr Revo Spies of the EMPD who also represents all Metro Chiefs confirmed that every vehicle manufacturer in the country is aware of and complying with this provision as part of their homologation of all models with SABS.

But after conducting a snap survey of some new and used car dealers, we found that only some were aware of this requirement having been in force since 2006 and in cases where they were aware of it, some new car salesmen said that the warning triangle was handed to the purchaser or put in the boots of the cars at the time of handover of the vehicle. Second hand dealers just shrugged when asked where the warning triangle was.

This means that there will probably be a high proportion of car owners and drivers who have been driving their vehicles in contravention of the National Road Traffic Regulations for up to three years now and probably don't even realise it. But says Howard Dembovsky of JPSA, this is clearly not stopping traffic officers from enforcing this regulation and one can only imagine the amount of money that can be made by municipalities who blitz this particular infringement.

It is doubtful whether many smaller cars registered after 1 July 2006 will have one of these triangles in their boots or elsewhere if they have changed hands and even if they do, chances that people will not be able to find or recognise them as being a warning triangle since most are fold up triangles with a red or black plastic housing.

It is therefore not difficult to see how an absolute killing can be made by simply stopping all motor cars and fining the driver for not having one. Obviously if a person bought a second hand car from a private person, the possibility will exist that this warning triangle may have been removed but all motor vehicle manufacturers and dealers must be an have been aware of this requirement since it constitutes the same kind of requirement as exists with seat belts which are defined as standard safety equipment in a car. Just as a second hand car dealer should not sell someone a pre-owned car that has no seatbelts, they should be equally liable to provide a warning triangle as is required by law.

It is not because we feel that this matter is trivial that we are bringing it to the attention of the public, but because we feel that the public should be acutely aware of what the equipment requirements are in a motor vehicle. A warning triangle can significantly assist in preventing a collision in the event of a breakdown so it stands to reason that it would be good to have and use one.

However despite the fact that the AARTO Act makes no provision for warnings as opposed to outright prosecution, we do believe that there are other, way more serious infringements, laws and regulations that could be enforced prior to moving onto warning triangles in motor cars. Not allowing drivers to talk on cell phones whilst driving would be a fine place to start.

No surprise

Since the public are now fighting back against the Metro Police scum, they upped their game to find something else to nail the soft targets on.

Fine people for irrelevant and absurd things, things that have no bearing on road safety. Because its easy to do and generates massive amounts of money. Truly legalized robbery.