Are traffic cops allowed to hide?

AS we head towards the busiest holiday season of the year, traffic officers will be increasing their efforts to catch those breaking the speed limit.

With that said, are those enforcers of the rules of the road allowed to hide behind bushes and pylons? Howard Dembovsky, national chairman of the Justice Project SA (JPSA), answered this question and more.

Q Where should traffic officers posi- tion themselves and a speed-cam- era when monitoring road users?

JPSA: Apart from the fact that laser speed-measuring equipment must be mounted on a firm and stable surface (a tripod), there is no prescript as to where traffic officers must position themselves.

There is an additional requirement, however, that no speed-measuring exercise may be mounted within 300m of the commencement of a particular speed limit.

ALSO READ: Police roadblocks yield fruitful results

Q Are traffic officers allowed to hide vehicles behind trees?

JPSA: Yes, they are. In fact, they are allowed to hide pretty much anywhere they like.

Q Are officers allowed to cross the road to stop speeding drivers, cross a barrier line, endanger his/her life on a dangerous section of the road?

JPSA: I am afraid that in terms of the National Road Traffic Act, they are allowed to pretty much do what they like.

They are not exempt from the Occupational Health and Safety Act, however, although I have never heard of a complaint being brought against their employers for allowing them to act in a dangerous manner.

Q Are officers allowed to trap oncoming drivers on the opposite side of the road?

JPSA: Yes, they are.

Justice Project SA is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation dedicated to the improvement of road traffic law and its enforcement, as well as to road safety.

When it comes to road traffic law, JPSA is arguably the most active and vocal ‘motorists’ rights’ organisation, seeking to both, educate its members (and the public in general), as well as to help them to enforce their rights and meet their obligations and responsibilities.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:

WhatsApp – 072 069 4169

Instagram – zululand_observer