CHAPTER IX
ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS AND GENERAL SPEED LIMIT
Part I
Road traffic signs
Definitions
284. For the purpose of this Part--
"abnormal vehicle" means any vehicle which is operated under a written exemption granted in terms of section 81 of the Act and any motor vehicle accompanying such abnormal vehicle as a condition for operation;
"agricultural vehicle" means a vehicle designed or adapted solely for agricultural activities and includes a tractor but does not include a goods vehicle;
"authorised vehicle" means any motor vehicle identified by means of--
and whose identification is thereby compatible with that displayed on the appropriate road sign;
"construction vehicle" means a vehicle used in connection with road construction and road maintenance;
"delivery vehicle" means a goods vehicle, motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle, in the process of loading or unloading goods;
"disabled persons vehicle" means a motor vehicle conveying a person with a physical disability;
"emergency vehicle" means a fire-fighting vehicle, rescue vehicle, ambulance, a vehicle driven by a traffic officer in the execution of his or her duties, a vehicle driven by a member of the South African Police Service and a member of a municipal police service, both as defined in the South African Police Service Act, 1995 (Act No. 68 of 1995) and a vehicle driven by a person engaged in civil protection as contemplated in section 3 of the Civil Protection Act, 1977 (Act No. 67 of 1977)
"hawker" means a person who sells or trades goods;
"high occupancy vehicle" means a motor vehicle in which the number of occupants equals or exceeds the number indicated on an appropriate road traffic sign;
"junction" means that portion of an intersection contained within the prolongation of the lateral limits of the intersecting roadways and include any portion of the roadway between such lateral limits, and any stop or yield line marking which is painted at such intersection;
"midi-bus" means a bus which is designed or adapted solely for the conveyance of not more than 35 persons, including the driver;
"mini-circle" means a type of small traffic circle, entry to which is controlled by sign R2.2;
"painted island" means an island marked on the road surface that serves as a channelizing device within a junction or in a public road;
"rickshaw" means a vehicle with two wheels designed to be pulled by a person;
"selective restriction sign" means a regulatory sign which comprises of a two part message which is such that the lower message modifies or qualifies the significance of the upper message;
"taxi" means a motor car, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle which is designed or adapted for the conveyance of up to nine persons, including the driver, and is operated for reward;
"tour bus" means a mini-bus, midi-bus or a bus which is operated by or leased to a tour operator and which is solely or principally used to convey tourists;
"traffic circle" means a junction which contains a traffic or painted island, around which a road user travels in a clockwise direction, and "roundabout" shall have the same meaning;
"traffic signal" means a road traffic sign which, by means of automatic light signals, alternately directs traffic to stop and permits it to proceed;
"tram" means a device that operates on rails within a public road;
"variable message sign" means a road sign which is capable of varying its message by manual or remote control to display a different message to the message last displayed and the road sign may be light reflecting or light emitting; and
"zig-zag-zone" means that section of roadway delineated by a zig-zag-zone line marking RM11.
Purpose, classification and types of road traffic signs
285.
(1) A road traffic sign shall have one of the following purposes:(2) Road traffic signs shall be divided into the following classes:
- regulatory signs--
- control signs;
- command signs;
- prohibition signs;
- reservation signs;
- comprehensive signs;
- exclusive secondary signs; and
- derestriction signs;
- warning signs--
- advance warning signs--
(aaa) road layout signs;
(bbb) direction of movement signs; and
(ccc) symbolic signs;
- hazard marker warning signs; and
- guidance signs--
- location signs;
- route marker signs;
- direction signs;
- freeway direction signs;
- tourism direction signs;
- diagrammatic signs;
- local direction signs;
- pedestrian signs;
- toll direction signs; and
- information signs;
- regulatory markings--
- transverse regulatory markings; and
- longitudinal regulatory markings;
- warning markings; and
- guidance markings; and
- regulatory signals--
- traffic signals--
(aaa) vehicular light signals; and
(bbb) pedestrian light signals;
(ccc) pedal cycle light signals;
- red flashing signal;
- overhead lane direction control signals; and
- other regulatory signals; and
- warning signals--
- warning flashing signals; and
- warning flag signals.
(2A) The road traffic signs which fall under the classes referred to in subregulation (2) are contained in Schedule 1 and shall have the significance ascribed to it in that Schedule.
(3) A regulatory, warning, guidance or information sign for which a temporary sign number is allocated may be used in the temporary sign colours as prescribed by regulation 286A(1)(b): Provided that this provision shall not apply to any control regulatory sign, location guidance sign or tourism direction guidance sign.
(4) (a) When no specific symbol is available for the regulatory or warning message required, a word message may be used on the background of a regulatory or warning sign of standard shape, size and colour, and the letters used shall be black semi-matt on a white or yellow background or white on a blue background.
Dimensions for manufacture of road traffic signs
286.
(1) (a) The minimum external dimensions in millimetres of regulatory and warning signs are given in relation to the speed limit in kilometres per hour pertaining to the section of public road on which the signs are erected: Provided that a tolerance of five percent below such minimum dimension shall be permissible.
- for circular regulatory signs as shown in the table below:
| SIGN TYPE | |||||
| Speed limit | 0 - 60 |
61 - 80 |
81 - 100 |
101 - 120 |
|
| Diameter | General Overhead Parking & Stopping |
600 900 450 |
900 1 200 900 |
1 200 1 200 1 200 |
1 200 1 600 1 200 |
Provided that--
- a stop sign shall be the same size as a circular sign except for a sign used by a scholar patrol which may be a minimum of 450 millimetres in diameter;
- a sign for pedestrians and cyclists may be a minimum of 300 millimetres in diameter; or
- a keep left sign used on the vertical face of a bollard may be a minimum of 300 millimetres in diameter;
- for triangular regulatory and warning signs as shown in the table below:
Speed limit 0 - 60 61 - 80 81 - 100 101 - 120 Side length 900 1 200 1 200 1 500
- for rectangular regulatory signs as shown in the table below:
SIGN TYPE Speed limit 0 - 60
61 - 80
81 - 100
101 - 120
Height x width General Overhead
Parking & Stopping
Bus & minibus stop
600 x 450 900 x 675
445 x 338
450 x 225
900 x 675 1200 x 900
900 x 675
600 x 300
1200 x 900 1200 x 900
1200 x 900
800 x 400
1200 x 900 1600 x 1200
1200 x 900
900 x 450
Provided that a one way roadway sign shall be of a minimum height of 450 millimetres and a minimum width of 600 millimetres.
- Sign R1.3 and R1.4 shall be of the same size as one side of stop sign R1;
- the lower part of sign R2.1 shall be as shown in the table below:
Speed limit 0 - 60
61 - 80
81 - 100
101 - 120
Height x width 300 x 225
450 x 338
600 x 450
750 x 563
- Sign R5 shall be of a minimum side length of 450 millimetres;
- an exclusive secondary message sign shall be of the same length as the diameter or width of the upper sign in such sign combination;
- signs W401, W402 and W415 shall be of the minimum dimensions as shown in the table below:
Speed limit 0 - 60
61 - 80
81 - 100
101 - 120
Height x width 600 x 150
600 x 150
800 x 200
800 x 200
- signs W403 and W404 shall be of the minimum dimensions as shown in the table below:
Speed limit 0 - 60
61 - 80
81 - 100
101 - 120
Diagonal 1 015
1 200
1 200
1 200
- signs W405 to W410 and W414 shall be of the minimum dimensions as shown in the table below:
Speed limit 0 - 60
61 - 80
81 - 100
101 - 120
Height 450
450
600
600
Provided that sign W414 shall have a minimum height of 600 millimetre and a width of 1 600 millimetres, irrespective of the speed limit, when used in conjunction with sign GA4.
- sign TW411 shall be of the minimum dimensions as shown in the table below:
Speed limit 0 - 60 61 - 80 81 - 100 101 - 120 Height x width 200 x 1200 300 x 1800 400 x 2400 400 x 2400
- sign TW412 shall be of the minimum dimensions as shown in the table below:
Speed limit 0 - 60 61 - 80 81 - 100 Height x width 450 x 900 600 x 1200 600 x 1200
- sign W413 shall be of the minimum dimensions as shown in the table below:
Speed limit 0 - 60 61 - 80 81 - 100 101 - 120 Height x width 600 x 350 600 x 350 800 x 466 800 x 466
(2) (a) The minimum width of a longitudinal road marking shall be 100 millimetres: Provided that a tolerance of 10 percent below such minimum dimension shall be permissible.
- for road marking RTM1 in an urban area, 300 millimetres and in any other area 500 millimetres;
- for road marking RTM2 in an urban area, 200 millimetres and in any other area 300 millimetres;
- for road marking RTM4, 2 400 millimetres;
- for road marking GM5, 300 millimetres; and
- for any other transverse road marking, 100 millimetres.
(3) The minimum diameter of any disc light signal of a traffic signal shall be 210 millimetres: Provided that a tolerance of 10 percent below such dimension shall be permissible.
(4) The specific dimensions of a road traffic sign and of the letter styles and symbols used on such sign shall be substantially in conformity with the requirements laid down in the Southern African Development Community Road Traffic Signs Manual - Volume 4.
Colours for manufacture of road traffic signs
286A.
(1) (a) The colours of a road traffic sign shall be as indicated in Schedule 1.
- a white symbol, letter or border becomes black semi-matt and any super-imposed black symbol becomes white retro-reflective;
- the yellow symbol on signs R302 and R303 and any yellow letters, numerals or punctuation marks become black semi-matt; or
- a white, blue or green background becomes yellow retro-reflective:
Provided that:
- a red border or other area stays red except that--
(aaa) the border of a temporary diagrammatic sign or high visibility sign becomes black semi-matt; or
(bbb) the red areas on signs W401, W402 and W405 to W410 become black semi-matt;
- the superimposed coloured portions of symbols on signs R126, R232, R316, R321, R322, R316-P, R321-P, R322-P, W301, W302 and W303 stay as they are; and
- any other yellow symbol stays yellow but is surrounded by a thin black semi-matt border.
(2) Where a road traffic sign is required to be of any specific colour or colours, such colours shall be in conformity with the following specifications published by the South African Bureau of Standards:
(3) If a road traffic sign is displayed with a colour which differs in shade from the colour specified in subregulation (2), the validity of such sign shall, in the absence of evidence of prejudice, not be affected thereby.
(4) The reverse side of a road sign, other than a road sign with an aluminium background, shall be grey, except that, irrespective of the material of manufacture, the reverse side of a stop sign shall be white semi-matt.
(5) Subject to the provisions of this Part, the colour of the standard or post specifically erected for the display of a road sign shall, where the standard or post is--
and in the case of a road signal the standard or post shall be golden yellow: Provided that this provision shall not be applicable to an overhead traffic signal mounted on a gantry or a cable.
(6) Light reflecting variable message road signs shall conform to the dimensional and colour requirements in this regulation.
(7) (a) Light emitting variable message road signs may be used to display a regulatory, warning, guidance or information message.
- in the same shape as the equivalent standard sign;
- with an illuminated red or white border as the case may be; and
- with an illuminated message in white letters, numbers or symbols on a semi-matt black background.
(8) Retro-reflective material referred to in subregulation (2)(a) shall bear a permanent mark to identify the class and the manufacturer of such material.
Manner of display of road signs and road signals
287.
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Part, a road sign or a road signal shall--(2) A temporary road sign shall only be used for a temporary condition.
(3) Where an association or club is authorised to display a road traffic sign as referred to in section 57(6) of the Act, no badge or other token on any such road traffic sign shall be outside the outline of such road traffic sign: Provided that in any case where this is not possible, it shall be in the immediate proximity to the junction of the road traffic sign with the standard or post and contained in an area not exceeding 10 percent of the area of the face of such sign: Provided further that in all other cases the badge or token may be placed where space is available on the road traffic sign, preferably in a corner, but the nearest edge of the badge or token shall not be more than 100 millimetres from the edge of the road traffic sign.
(4) If a road sign or road signal is mounted over a portion of the roadway, the minimum clearance between the underside of the sign or signal and the road surface shall be five comma two metres, except for signs R204, W415 and W320.
(5) In the case where two road traffic signs are in conflict with one another--
(6) (a) A road traffic sign may be used in combination with another road traffic sign on the same post to--
- selectively restrict the application of the road traffic sign by displaying a two part message where the lower message modifies the significance of the upper message;
- improve the comprehensibility of the sign by means of a warning sign or supplementary information plate; and
- improve the conspicuity of the road traffic sign as contemplated in subregulation (7).
(7) Examples of sign combinations are shown in the Annexure to Schedule 1.
(8) A road traffic sign may be supplemented to improve the comprehensibility of such sign by--
(9) (a) The conspicuity of a road traffic sign may be improved by--
- displaying such sign on a high visibility background;
- displaying such sign in combination with one or more yellow flashing signals; or
- internal or external illumination.
- for a permanent sign, white retro-reflective for the background and red retro-reflective for the border; or
- for a temporary sign, yellow retro-reflective for the background and black semi-matt for the border.
(10) When a continuous longitudinal road marking is used in combination with road studs, small breaks in the continuity of the road marking may occur to accommodate such road studs.
Manner of display of traffic signal
287A.
(1) (a) A traffic signal shall--
- comprise of light signals arranged vertically so that the topmost signal is red, the central signal is yellow and the lower signal is green: Provided that--
- the topmost signal may include more than one red light signal arranged horizontally;
- the central light signal may include more than one yellow light signal arranged horizontally;
- the lower light signal may include more than one green light signal arranged vertically or horizontally;
- a special supplementary traffic signal S10L and S10R may be used with only a yellow and a green arrow;
- a pedestrian traffic signal S11 shall comprise two light signals arranged vertically and the upper light signal shall be red and the lower light signal shall be green; and
- a special traffic signal S12 may comprise of two light signals arranged vertically and the upper light signal shall be red and the lower light signal shall be green;
- a pedal cyclist traffic signal S20 shall comprise two light signals arranged vertically and the upper light signal shall be red and the lower light signal shall be green;
- have a basic sequence which shall be red, green, yellow and red and the cycle time shall be such as may be required by the movement of traffic; and
- be so designed that the traffic signal head prevents, as far as possible, any traffic signal from being seen from a direction to which its light signals do not apply.
- When a traffic signal is provided for left turning vehicular traffic, only one traffic signal shall be required for the control of such traffic and such light signal may be located on the left side of the roadway provided it is sufficiently far away from the stop line RTM1 that drivers who stop behind the line can see the full traffic signal.
- When the roadway is a divided roadway the right hand traffic signals shall be situated on the median island.
- When the required traffic signals may not be readily seen by a driver of an approaching vehicle an additional traffic signal may be provided--
- as an additional traffic signal on the far side of the junction;
- as an additional traffic signal on the near side of the junction; or
- as an elevated traffic signal situated above the roadway.
(2) The traffic control at a junction or pedestrian or pedal cycle crossing may include the use of road signs, road markings and road signals and the traffic control precedence shall be as follows--
(3) No road sign except--
shall be used in conjunction with a traffic signal, and such signs may be mounted on the same post as that of a traffic signal.
(4) When no light signal is illuminated on an approach to a junction the driver of a motor vehicle shall act as for a 3-way stop R1.3 or a 4-way stop sign R1.4.
(5) In the event that a traffic signal is out of order, either all the light signals shall not be illuminated, or all red light signals shall be flashing.
(6) A flashing red arrow light signal shall not be used in conjunction with a green man light signal at a junction.
(7) Every flashing light signal shall operate at a cycle frequency of between one and two flashes per second.
(8) (a) A flashing red signal shall comprise a red disc light signal.
- be mounted below stop sign R1 and above railway line hazard marker W403 or W404, as applicable;
- be illuminated in an alternating flashing mode only when a train is approaching; and
- be situated on the near side of the railway crossing, on the left side of each approach roadway.
(9) Overhead lane direction control signals shall--
(10) A flag shall be 600 millimetres by 600 millimetres and shall be red or orange.
(11) (a) The responsible registered engineer of the road authority concerned shall approve and sign a declaration containing the description of--
- the appropriate type of control;
- phasing, time plans and off-set settings;
- number, type and location of light signals;
- road layout and the channelization of traffic; and
- pedestrian facilities,
for each traffic signal installed.
(12) A sliplane for traffic turning left at an intersection which is traffic signal controlled, shall be separated from the lane to the right of such sliplane by a constructed island.
Signs regulating parking, stopping and hawkers
288.
(1) A regulatory sign relating to the parking of a vehicle and the prohibition of hawkers shall be displayed at each end and on that side of a portion of the public road where the significance of such sign is applicable: Provided that--
- such sign may be displayed on that portion of such public road to which its significance is to apply or on any traffic island or other raised area surrounded by the roadway of such public road, adjacent to such portion;
- in the case of a no parking sign, its significance shall apply to any parking bay demarcated at a distance of not more than 500 millimetres from such sign and if that bay is one of several demarcated parking bays adjoining one another, to all such adjoining parking bays within a distance of 75 metres from such sign and for the purposes of this paragraph parking bays demarcated within two and a half metres of each other shall be deemed to be adjoining parking bays.
(2) A regulatory sign prohibiting or restricting the stopping of a vehicle, shall be displayed at each end and on that side of the section of a public road where the significance thereof is to be applicable: Provided that--
(3) A regulatory sign relating to the parking, stopping of a vehicle or the prohibition of hawkers, shall, unless it is displayed with the face parallel to the lateral line of the public road, display a similar sign on the reverse side.
Authority to enter premises contrary to regulatory sign
289.
Where a regulatory sign applies which reserves a public road or portion of a public road for a specific category of vehicle, the driver of a vehicle, other than the driver of a vehicle of the class referred to by such sign, may only cross such public road, or the portion of such public road, if--Prohibition on advertising material on road traffic sign or road traffic sign used in advertisement
290.
(1) No person shall display or allow to be displayed any advertising material on or attached to a road traffic sign, except--(2) No person shall use or portray a road traffic sign in an advertisement where such advertisement is visible for a road user while travelling on a public road.
Transitional provision
291.
(1) A road traffic sign which could, prior to the commencement of this Part, validly be displayed in terms of the Act, may, notwithstanding the provisions of this Part be displayed on a public road until 31 December 2000.(2) A road traffic sign contemplated in subregulation (1) has the same meaning assigned to a corresponding road traffic sign in Schedule 1: Provided that a stop sign R1 which could have been displayed prior to the commencement of this Part shall, when it is displayed as a 3-way or 4-way stop sign, have the same significance as stop signs R1.3 and R1.4 respectively as in Schedule 1.
Part II
Speed limits
General speed limits
292.
A general speed limit of--Speed limit for particular class of vehicle
293.
(1) In terms of section 59(3) of the Act, a speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour shall, subject to the proviso to that section, apply in respect of--(2) There may, and after 1 January 2000 shall, be displayed on the rear of a goods vehicle contemplated in subregulation (1), a sign denoting that such goods vehicle is subject to a speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour, and such sign shall comply with the requirements of standard specification SABS 1329 "Retro-reflective and Fluorescent Warning Signs for Road Vehicles", Part 3: "Signs other than triangles, chevron signs and abnormal load vehicle signs" with respect to the colours displayed on such sign.
Speed limit in relation to tyres
294.
Notwithstanding the provisions of regulations 292 and 293, no person shall operate on a public road a motor vehicle which is fitted with pneumatic tyres, at a speed in excess of the speed referred to in the standard specification SABS 1550: "Motor Vehicle Tyres and Rims: Dimensions and Loads" , Part 1: "General", Part 2 "Passenger car tyres", Part 3 "Commercial vehicle tyres", or as approved by the manufacturer of the tyre concerned.Speed limit in relation to braking capability
295.
(1) No person shall operate on a public road a tractor or trailer referred to in regulation 154(2) at a speed in excess of 35 kilometres per hour.(2) A motor vehicle referred to in subregulation (1) may, and after 1 January 2000 shall, be fitted with a sign denoting that such vehicle is subject to a speed restriction of 35 kilometres per hour, which sign shall comply with the requirements of standard specification SABS 1329 "Retro-reflective and fluorescent warning signs for road vehicles", Part 3: "Signs other than triangles, chevron signs and abnormal load vehicle signs" with respect to the colours displayed on such sign.
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