Yellow-lane driving is illegal
JOBURG – Driving in the yellow lane is not only illegal but selfish and extremely dangerous.
Metro police constantly monitor motorists illegally using the yellow lane.
Metro police spokesperson, Superintendent Edna Mamonyane said, “We go into the areas and might be able to catch a few motorists, including taxis and buses but we cannot fine them all because they notice our vehicles,” she said.
Regulation 298A of the National Road Traffic Act states that the only time one is permitted to use the emergency lane is if there is a legitimate emergency. Using the emergency lane as a ‘passing lane’ on a freeway is not permitted, although this is often the case, even on highways.
Mamonyane explained that this infringement could also be dangerous for vehicles that have genuinely broken-down in the emergency lane. Motorists drive down the lane at a fast speed and are often unable to see whether there’s a vehicle in the distance.
The Automobile Association (AA) said, “Driving in the yellow lane to pass other cars is an extremely selfish way of driving, and the law must be better enforced than it is at the moment. Once drivers use the emergency lane it becomes another lane on the road, and drivers then have to ‘force’ their way back into normal traffic. This in itself is the cause of much anger among drivers who follow the rules, and may contribute to road rage incidents.”
A resident in the area, Benedicte Scott had a bad experience on Beyers Naude Drive and Princes Road with Rea Vaya buses. “Due to the buses blocking the view and the way, my husband accidentally hit a man on a bicycle,” explained Scott. Fortunately, the cyclist was not hurt but his bicycle was quite damaged.
Drivers caught in yellow lanes will be fined up to R1 000.
Mamonyane said, “We recommend that the public report the areas where the problems are bad, to either our control centre or directly to the Metro police’s offices,” she said.
Details : Metro police 011 758 9620/9622; Control centre 011 375 5911.
