Don’t skip these travel checks!

As we en ter the festiv e season , man y of u s will be on the road trav - ellin g to ou r holiday destin ation s or v isitin g family an d frien ds all ov er the cou n try. Scorpion Legal P rotection shares some tips for av oidin g legal an d safety trou bles when trav ellin g this season . Don ’t skip these checks!

Valid licences

Make sure both your vehicle licence and your driver’s licence are valid. Driving without a valid licence is against the law, and if you are caught doing so, you could be fined.

Car’s roadworthiness There are specific criteria for determining a car’s roadworthiness, but some that you can look out for are: doors must be firmly attached, seatbelts must work properly, tyres must have a tread of at least 1.6 mm, all lights must be in working order, windscreen must be free of cracks and wipers must work properly and be in good condition. Apart from being unsafe for both you and other motorists on the road, if your car is found to be unroadworthy, it can be impounded, and you can be fined.

Insurance

Check that all your details are up to date with your insurer and you comply with your policy requirements, as they could reject your claim if they are not. Things like driving without a valid licence or a vehicle that is not roadworthy could also get your claim rejected.

Stick to the rules of the road

This one is for during your travel, but it’s important to mention. There are instances where you can be arrested on the spot under the 2008 AARTO Regulations –

1. Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

2. Operating a vehicle recklessly.

3. Exceeding the speed limit by 40 km/h or more.

NB: You cannot be arrested for outstanding fines unless a warrant of arrest has been issued. A traffic fine is not an arrest warrant.

Got a legal question for us? Ask it at the next Scorpion Live Q&A (every first Thursday of the month from 11:30-13:30) on the Scorpion Legal Protection Facebook page where you can get free legal advice – you don’t have to be a member.

* This is only basic legal advice and cannot be relied on solely. The information is correct at the time of being sent to publishing.