ROODEVALLEI, Pretoria, 1 AUGUST 2000.
The Minister of Transport, Dullah Omar, together with the nine provincial MEC's for Transport noted with concern the widespread confusion regarding some provisions of the National Road Traffic Act which comes into effect as from today, 01 August 2000.
In a joint statement issued after the two-day strategic workshop at the Roodevallei County Lodge in Pretoria, MINCOM assured drivers that they can use both the "walk and talk" type hands free device and hands free car kits.
According to regulation 308A. (1) of the National Road Traffic Regulation, no person shall drive on a public road (a). While holding a cellular or mobile telephone or any other communication device in one or both hands or with any other part of the body; (b). While using or operating a cellular or mobile telephone or other communication device unless a such a cellular or mobile telephone or other communication device is affixed to the vehicle or is part of the fixture in the vehicle and remains so affixed while being used or operated, or is specifically adapted or designed to be affixed to the person of the driver as headgear, and is so used, to enable such driver to use or operate such telephone or communication device without holding it in the manner contemplated in paragraph (a) and remains so affixed while being used or operated.
Simply put, this means: drivers will not be prosecuted if they are using either hands-free car kits or "walk and talk" devices, because both these are compatible with the regulations. The Ministers pointed out that law enforcement officers will enforce these regulations and drivers who do not have either of these communication devices are encouraged to switch off their cellular phones until they such devices
ISSUED BY
Mike Mabasa
Media Liaison Officer to the Minister of Transport
Pretoria
Tel: 083 680 7048