When is it legal to use the emergency lane?

EARLIER this week Durban North SAPS announced it would be partnering with Metro Police to fine motorists illegally using the emergency lane during peak hour traffic. Two drivers were fined in this week’s operation on the M4. In light of this, the Northglen News asked the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) when it is permissible to use the emergency lane.

According to association’s spokesman, Layton Beard, a common topic among motorists is the rules regarding travelling in the emergency lane, or inside the yellow line.

“Legally, the only time you are allowed to use the emergency lane is if you have a real emergency, such as if your car breaks down, if you are rushing to the hospital, or need to stop immediately in the event of a medical emergency. On a freeway, the emergency lane is reserved for emergencies only like fire-fighting vehicles, emergency response vehicles, rescue vehicles and ambulances, so if you need to use it then the purpose needs to be for the same kind of reasons. Using the emergency lane as a ‘passing lane’ on a freeway is not permitted at all.

Read Also: Durban North paramedics deliver baby in emergency lane

“The only exception for normal motorists is if you are travelling on a single carriageway road with one lane in each direction. In this case it is permitted to move into the emergency lane to allow faster moving cars to pass you. However, the Act clearly states that if you are moving aside to allow vehicles to pass, you can only do so during daytime hours, which means between sunrise and sunset. By law you are required to make sure that you have at least 150 metre of visibility ahead before you move over, so under no circumstances can you slip into the yellow line on a blind rise,” he said.

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