Hitch-hikers to pay $200 fines

Members of the public who hitch-hike at undesignated pick-up points risk arrest and paying fines of up to $200, a development that is expected to curb the menace of pirate taxis in urban centres.

This is contained in Statutory Instrument 41 of 2016 of the Road Traffic (Traffic Signs and Signals) Regulations that was gazetted in April.

The Statutory Instrument contains a sign that prohibits hitch-hiking at undesignated places.

The sign has a crossed thumb and marked R207 where it is stated that the sign indicates to: "a pedestrian that he or she shall not attempt to secure a lift from a passing vehicle, and the driver of a vehicle that he or she shall not pick up passengers.

"This prohibition on hitch-hiking is effective for a distance of 500 metres beyond such a sign."