From 11 May, transporting children in the back of a bakkie will be illegal
This is in terms of Regulation 250 of the National Road Traffic Act (NRTA).
POLOKWANE – This means no person will be allowed to transport children in the goods compartment of a vehicle for reward.
In a press release by the Automobile Association (AA) of South Africa, it says this regulation is to be cautiously welcomed.
“The introduction is a step in the right direction insofar as it puts the issue of scholar transport high on the road safety agenda. It also means those business operators who are taking children to school in vehicles which are either unroadworthy, or not designed for person transport (such as bakkies), will need to repair or replace their vehicles,” the AA noted.
Photo: citizen
Regulation 250 also prohibits the transport of other persons in the goods compartment of vehicles for reward, unless they are enclosed in a canopy, and are not seated near any goods or tools.
This regulation is aimed at improving the safety of passengers on the back of bakkies.
The AA also re-iterated a previous message to motorists that Regulation 250 is, in fact, the only regulation coming into force on Thursday.
Review spoke to the spokesperson for the Department of Transport, Joshua Kwapa, on the new regulation.
You can read his comments in tomorrow’s edition of Review Weekend.
