What the law says about overladen bakkies

In the space of a week, 20 people have been killed in two incidents involving open bakkies transporting large numbers of people. Whether visible policing is there or not, the National Road Traffic Act makes it difficult for these authorities to enforce sanctions on drivers of these vehicles. Watch.

This is what the Road Traffic Act says about transporting passengers in a bakkie:

Circumstances under which persons may be carried on goods vehicle

Reg 247. No person shall operate on a public road a goods vehicle conveying persons unless that portion of the vehicle in which such persons are being conveyed is enclosed to a height of—

(a) at least 350 millimetres above the surface upon which such person is seated;
or
(b) at least 900 millimetres above the surface on which such person is standing, in a manner and with a material of sufficient strength to prevent such person from falling from such vehicle when it is in motion.

Provided that no person shall be conveyed in the goods compartment together with any tools or goods, except their personal effects, unless that portion in which such persons are being conveyed is separated by means of a partition, from the portion in which such goods are being conveyed.

Persons not to be carried in goods compartment for reward

Reg 250. No person shall on a public road carry any person for reward in the goods compartment of a motor vehicle.

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