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The use of LED lights is not only illegal, but it can be downright dangerous.
This is according to Wynand Labuschagne from the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, as reported by The Citizen, the Herald’s mother newspaper, based on an article by the Lowvelder.
Labuschagne is reported as saying, “The National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 does not allow the display of LED lights whatsoever, and this is a stern warning that the Department will clamp down on motorists who have such lights fitted. It is strictly against the law.”
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He was also quoted as saying that the use of LED lights has become dangerous, and the use thereof could lead to accidents which could lead to fatalities.
He also warned that using such lights is a behaviour that constitutes inconsiderate driving, which is punishable in terms of the law.
He said numerous offenders were caught during the recent Easter weekend, and culprits were fined heftily while also being ordered to remove the lights from their vehicles.
Labuschagne strongly condemned the abuse of mounted lights that are only supposed to be used by emergency personnel and law enforcement officials. These include green, blue and yellow lights.
He explained that persons allowed to have such lights include security practitioners, traffic law enforcers, police, military, towing services, disaster management officials, emergency health practitioners and professional hunters, as well as those who transport visitors around national parks and game reserves.
“In terms of the law, blue lights should only be displayed by law enforcement officers, i.e., the police and traffic officers.
Any other persons displaying such lights shall be charged with impersonation of law enforcers,” Labuschagne said.
He elaborated that green lights are reserved for use by disaster management employees or any other people who may have been activated in terms of the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002.
“Towing service vehicles should mount orange lights on top of their vehicle roofs. These should be used when attending accident scenes,” he said.
He said even with lights that are legal, motorists should consider other road users when on the road.
“Drivers have developed a tendency to switch headlights on unnecessarily, which impacts other road users negatively,” he explained.
He has thus called for an end to the fitting of lights other than factory-fitted lights on individual vehicles, as various categories of lights are reserved for those who have permits, and such permits are usually granted to individuals based on their occupation.
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