A motor vehicle can be a dangerous and deadly object in the hands of a negligent driver. It is the responsibility of all road users to ensure that all roads are safe for other road users, protecting other motorists by adhering to the rules as set out in the Traffic Laws. Collisions and crashes on public roads can be reduced if knowledge of Traffic rules is distributed and drivers take it upon themselves to study and subsequently obey same.

In South Africa, traffic laws are governed by the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 and the act sets out many traffic rules including the most common namely, to never drive under the influence of alcohol, wearing a seat belt on when driving, keeping a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, avoid distractions on the road, adhering to the prescribed speed limit, not occupying the driver’s seat when feeling drowsiness or generally unwell and keeping a close and careful eye out for other drivers on the road.

The main purpose of traffic laws is public safety and protection on the roads and maintain order on public roads. Traffic laws regulate things such as the appropriate speed that people must travel at, the manoeuvres to be made on the road as well as indication of appropriate and inappropriate places as well as situations to drive in. Traffic laws aim to ensure that drivers are on the roads with caution and obeying traffic rules as a way to minimise and control the high number of road accidents.

Traffic laws are now strictly enforced because their enforcement has proved to work in advancing and promoting their aim, with this enforcement there has been proof that drivers definitely abide by the rules if they fear punishment.

Failure to disobey traffic rules is a serious criminal offence which can result in the person being found guilty in a Court of law and subsequently fined, having their licence suspended or even imprisonment in severe cases.

When a person is under the influence of alcohol, you are not in your right state of mind. One of the consequences of such actions is not only getting your license suspended but it may also cost other road users their lives or even injuring pedestrians.

Being found guilty of a traffic offence like reckless and negligent driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or exceeding the speed limit, may result in a person having a criminal record under his name, which you will only be able to expunge after 10 (ten) years.

Therefore, it is very important to obey traffic road rules, not only to spare yourself from having a criminal record, but to most importantly safe lives of other road users.