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308 of 1984, Road and Road Traffic (Rules of the Road) clearly spells out the offences and penalties. Some of the offences are counted as particulars of negligence should you be involved in an accident.
Remaining Stationary
It is an offence to permit any vehicle (not bicycles) to stop or remain stationary in a dangerous position on any road or parking place. Double parking is an offence. Motorists should not stop or park any vehicle anywhere else except on the extreme left of the road or in a parking place. It is an offence to stop or park within 7,5m of an intersection in the area of a local authority unless in a traffic hold up or a parking bay.
Overtaking and passing
Drivers who fail to give way to traffic from the right at an uncontrolled intersection will be committing an offence just like those who overtake on the wrong side.
It is an offence to fail to keep to the left of the road when approaching a corner or meeting other traffic as well as overtaking in the face of oncoming traffic.
A driver who overtakes when he/she cannot see sufficiently far ahead to complete the manoeuvre with safety is guilty of an offence.
It is an offence to overtake at a junction or intersection. Motorcyclists who change lanes to cause obstruction are guilty of an offence.
Motorists who stubbornly fail to give way to others on strips are also guilty of a traffic offence.
Keeping to the left
It is an offence to drive on the wrong side of the road or drive in the opposite direction in a one-way road. A driver who drives the wrong way in a separate carriageway is also guilty of an offence.
Motorists are required by law to keep to the left when turning left. It is a punishable offence for motorcyclists to cut a corner when turning right. Approaching cross roads, corner or bridge, a sharp turn or steep descent at an unsafe speed is an offence.
Failing to signal or stop
Motorists who wish to slow down or stop are required by law to signal intention.
Failure to do so as well as making a hand or mechanical signal in a manner that is not prescribed is in itself a traffic offence.
Motorist are required by law to halt (stop) on the extreme left to the road (single carriageway) and remain stationary when being passed by Police, Ambulance or Fire Brigade where warning device is being sounded.
It is an offence to disobey directions, orally or by signal from a policeman in uniform who is controlling traffic.
Pedal and motorcycle offences
It is an offence for pedal cyclists to ride two abreast. It is also illegal for a pedal cyclist to hold onto a moving trailer or vehicles. Section 20 of Statutory Instrument 308 of 1974 prohibits motorcycles from using the track with engine on, or driving a motor vehicle or motorcycle on a cycle track. The same section makes it an offence for a bicyclist to use a road where a cycle track is provided. Motor- cyclists are not allowed to ride more than two abreast.
Animals and animal-drawn vehicles
The law prohibits anyone from using an animal-drawn vehicle on a cycle track. It is an offence to drive, cause or permit to be driven any animals at night without two drovers each equipped with reflective staff. It is illegal to cause or permit animals to graze on any road having a bituminous surface of 6m or more in width.
Section 31(2) of Statutory Instrument 308 of 1974 makes it an offence to fail to stop or slow down when meeting animals being led, driven, ridden or drawing vehicle on the road.
Leaving a vehicle unattended
The law prohibits anyone from leaving an animal-drawn vehicle unattended or driving an animal-drawn vehicle without reins and a leader. It is also an offence to leave a motor vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
Dangerous actions
It is both dangerous and illegal to permit persons to ride on wings, fenders, luggage grid, roof, running board, towing-bar bumpers or bonnet of motor vehicle. The law allows a mechanic carrying out repairs to possibly ride on the bonnet. A driver must not permit a person to sit between the driver’s seat and the side of the vehicle nearest the driver’s seat.
Conclusion
The article looked at moving offences and those committed soon after moving. We also looked at pedal and motorcycle offences and those that are related to use of animal-drawn vehicles.
Our next article will look at selected sections of Statutory Instrument 154 of 2010.
The writer, Ernest Muchena, is contact- able on 04-751208/3 or 0772 110 898.
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