News / National
Fire extinguishers to be mandatory on all vehicles
29 Mar 2012 at 04:29hrs | Views
ALL vehicles should have a fire extinguisher and two red reflective triangles, Police National Traffic Section has said.
Spokesperson Inspector Tigere Chigome said motorists should also have a wheel spanner, jack and a spare wheel.
Anyone found without these tools would be fined amounts ranging between $5 and $20 if stopped at a roadblock and other police traffic checkpoints.
"This is according to Section 53 of the Statutory Instrument 154/2010 of the Road Traffic (Construction Equipment and Use) Regulations 2010," Insp Chigome said.
Those contravening this Statutory Instrument shall be liable to conviction, a fine or a period of imprisonment not exceeding six months or both such fine and imprisonment.
Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe official Mr Ernest Muchena yesterday said all motorists and players in the transport sector should familiarise themselves with the statutory instrument.
He said a light motor vehicle should have a fire extinguisher weighing 0,75kg and 1,5kg for heavy vehicles.
"The fire extinguisher must be SAZ (Standards Association of Zimbabwe) approved and secured at an accessible and visible position within the vehicle's cab," Mr Muchena said.
Heavy vehicles towing one or more trailers should have two extra triangles for each trailer.
"The triangle must bear the name of manufacturer, serial number, year of manufacture and be reflective on both sides," he said.
Drivers were required by law to place in front and rear of the vehicle the triangles on the same side of the carriageway as the vehicle or trailer within not less than 30m and not more than 50m from the nearest point of the car.
"All drivers are advised to check that they have all the above requirements before they drive on any road.
"When drivers are carrying the tools, they can quickly change a flat tyre and leave the roadside where they will be a danger to themselves and to other road users," Mr Muchena said.
If all vehicles carried the triangles and placed them behind stationary vehicles, accidents would be eliminated. Most drivers ram into the back of stationary vehicles that are difficult to see, especially at night.
Since last month, several people have been arrested and fined for moving without the triangles and fire extinguishers.
Spokesperson Inspector Tigere Chigome said motorists should also have a wheel spanner, jack and a spare wheel.
Anyone found without these tools would be fined amounts ranging between $5 and $20 if stopped at a roadblock and other police traffic checkpoints.
"This is according to Section 53 of the Statutory Instrument 154/2010 of the Road Traffic (Construction Equipment and Use) Regulations 2010," Insp Chigome said.
Those contravening this Statutory Instrument shall be liable to conviction, a fine or a period of imprisonment not exceeding six months or both such fine and imprisonment.
Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe official Mr Ernest Muchena yesterday said all motorists and players in the transport sector should familiarise themselves with the statutory instrument.
He said a light motor vehicle should have a fire extinguisher weighing 0,75kg and 1,5kg for heavy vehicles.
Heavy vehicles towing one or more trailers should have two extra triangles for each trailer.
"The triangle must bear the name of manufacturer, serial number, year of manufacture and be reflective on both sides," he said.
Drivers were required by law to place in front and rear of the vehicle the triangles on the same side of the carriageway as the vehicle or trailer within not less than 30m and not more than 50m from the nearest point of the car.
"All drivers are advised to check that they have all the above requirements before they drive on any road.
"When drivers are carrying the tools, they can quickly change a flat tyre and leave the roadside where they will be a danger to themselves and to other road users," Mr Muchena said.
If all vehicles carried the triangles and placed them behind stationary vehicles, accidents would be eliminated. Most drivers ram into the back of stationary vehicles that are difficult to see, especially at night.
Since last month, several people have been arrested and fined for moving without the triangles and fire extinguishers.
Source - zimpapers
