What does the Rules of the Road stipulate with regards to diplomats and their driving? A visitor to the Arrive Alive website sent an email with a photo attached of a diplomatic car stopping at a disabled parking zone -and the driver and occupants enjoying a nice lunch in front of the vehicle.
It is perhaps an opportune time to emphasize that even diplomats and the drivers of blue light vehicles have to abide by the Rules of the Road!
The Arrive Alive Road Safety website has been provided with an important bit of information from a presentation by well known expert in transport legislation, Alta Swanepoel. This is titled: “The Use of Blue Lamps by Non-Emergency Personnel and Political Office Bearers, etc”
To keep it very simple, I would like to quote a small part from the presentation:
National Road Traffic Act, 1996
Section 58 Failure to obey road traffic sign prohibited
” (3) The driver of a fire-fighting vehicle, a rescue vehicle or an ambulance who drives such vehicle in the performance of his or her duties, a traffic officer who drives a vehicle in the carrying out of his or her duties or any person driving a vehicle while engaged in civil protection as contemplated in any ordinance made in terms of section 3 of the Clvii Protection Act, 1977 (Act No. 67 of 1977), may disregard the directions of a road traffic sign which is displayed in the prescribed mariner: Provided that
(a) he or she shall drive the vehicle concerned with due regard to the safety of other traffic; and …”
Section 60 Certain drivers may exceed general speed limit
” Notwithstanding the provisions of section 59, the driver of a fire4ighting vehicle, a rescue vehicle or an ambulance who drives auch vehicle in the carrying out of hit or her duties, a traffic officer who drives a vehicle in the carrying out of his or her duties or any person driving a vehIcle while engaged in civil protection as contemplated in any ordinance made In te”iis of section 3 of the Civil Protection Act, 1977 (Act No. 67°f 1977), may exceed the applicable general speed limit: Provided that
(a) he or she shall drive the vehicle concerned with due regard to the safety of other traffic; and …”
From the above the following simple Road Safety guidelines should apply to VIP protection officials:
• Safety comes first!
• This is not only the safety of the person protected – but the safety of ALL road users!
• Statutory authority would not be a defense against unlawfulness – as the statute clearly stipulates that transgression of the Rules of the Road should only be performed with due regard to the safety of other traffic!
• Failure to obey these guidelines could be seen as aggravating circumstances – of these officials can be expected to know the law under which they perform their duties!
Parking in a disabled parking pay – if you are not disabled – is a selfish act and sign of disrepect for the disabled!!
Perhaps it is time that we provide all these officials with proper training and a common sense understanding of road safety and basic human rights!