Loading Height

[Sabre484]

So yesterday after a nice morning ride I travel back home just to have the dreaded Mr JMPD jump in front of my car an point out to me that the side of the road would be far nicer than the lane I was travelling in. So after a split second of contemplating if I should forget to swerve or slam on the brakes I did what any good citizen would do and took his invitation to stop.

 

So the conversation started with the normal greetings and the request for drivers license and checking that my car is actually licensed etc etc.

 

 

Then Mr JMPD comes to the window and states that I have broken the law which states that your loading height may not exceed half of the cars height and that I am now entitled to a fine of R400 suid afrikaanse randts. So what to do, I said to Mr JMPD that we will have to remove said items of the racks on roof and actually measure if they are half the height of the car or not.

 

 

He proceeded to give me a warning and told me if he catches me again I will have the fine imposed.

 

 

 

SO the question is....??? Did I actually break the law or not?? I will take it to court if they actually fine me. But did I do wrong or is it bonus time at JMPD?

 

[Elvis]

Buy a higher car.

[sias]

It's bonus time!

[Daxiet]

 

 

 

I recall such a law in the learners book, but what it is intended for is to prevent the car becoming top heavy! A couple super light bikes on the roof is not going to affect your center of gravity hence there is no risk. As such I would hope that a court would not uphold such a stupid fine. If however you were trying to cart a piano on your roof, well then I would think the law should apply, however your roof would have already collapsed.

 

Plus with roof carriers, you want your car to be as low as possible to avoid any airborne obsticles. Added to this a lower car has a better center of gravity than a tall SUV, MPV. Take my Grand Scenic as a point in case.

Daxiet2009-04-28 01:15:14

[Dirtbreath]

 

Buy a higher car.

 

Smaller bike!

 

[Sammajoor]

As I have it you may load it to 4,5 m.  That is the legal limit.  Weight also has a factor, but bikes do not come near it.

 

next time tell him to sod off or write the fine and go to court.   It will be squashed.

 

[nathrix]

...loading height may not exceed half of the cars height. TRUE

 

The only exception to this rule is made for bicycles secured on approved bicycle roof racks.

 

 

[DawieO]

What constitutes an "approved" bicycle roof rack?

 

Is this exception documented?

[nathrix]

Yes, as far as I know. I have a recent learners book and will double check tonight to be sure.

[DawieO]

cool.

 

Is there a list of approved roofracks?

[Ratty]

If you have a car that is double the height of your bicycle, you are going to seriously struggle to get the bicks on top. 

 

Stupid idiot for fining you.  They wouldn't manafacture the bicycle racks just for SUV's / 4x4's.  Most people have them on saloon cars or hatchbacks.

 

 

 

[Willehond]

Sounds like mr JMPD just wanted you to 'buy him a cold drink'....

[Sabre484]

Funny Mr JMPD did mention something about buying him a drink

[Willehond]

Eish, you need to learn bribespeak boet!

[Mr Giant]

Eish boss....he wanted a "Spot Fine" 

[Minion]

The only regulation in the National Road Traffic Act is Regulation 224 which says the overall height of vehicle and load must not exceed 4.3m.

 

There might be something else in the Joburg by-laws, but I haven't looked.