Unpacking vehicle lighting laws

By Dex 

2'

AS the nation grapples with the dual concerns of increasing road traffic incidents and fluctuating vehicle conditions, the applicability of laws concerning spotlights, especially high intensity lights, invites significant scrutiny. 

In this write up, I will examine the legislative framework governing vehicle lighting, the practicality of these regulations, and the broader implications for safety and enforcement in Zimbabwe.

The legal framework surrounding vehicular lighting in Zimbabwe is multifaceted, encompassing various statutes, regulations, and codes of practice. The Road Traffic Act of 1996, alongside the Motor Vehicle Registration Act, establishes guidelines pertaining to the acceptable use of vehicle lights.

While standard lighting systems such as headlights and tail lights are well defined, the use of auxiliary lighting, such as spotlights, presents a complex issue. 

High-intensity spotlights are often employed by drivers for enhanced visibility during nocturnal travel, yet their mismanagement can lead to blinding other road users, thereby exacerbating road safety hazards. 

Despite the existence of regulations, the enforcement of laws pertaining to spotlights remains challenging in Zimbabwe. Public awareness of these laws is often inadequate, leading to widespread misuse of auxiliary lights.

Many drivers employ spotlights indiscriminately, operating under the misconception that enhanced illumination equates to improved safety. 

While the laws articulate a framework intended to enhance road safety, their practical enforcement and the public’s adherence have yet to dovetail effectively. 

Reports from traffic authorities indicate that several nocturnal accidents arise from improper usage of spotlights, with drivers failing to dim their lights.

 The law governing spotlights in Zimbabwe serves to underscore the interplay between regulation, enforcement, and community understanding of road safety. 

Evolving these laws with public education and stricter enforcement may foster a safer driving environment on Zimbabwean roads. The pursuit of road safety demands not only a robust legal framework but also active collaboration with the Government, law enforcement agencies, and the driving public to nurture a culture of compliance.

Motorists using high-beam headlights seem unaware that the glare can be hazardous for other commuters. 

Experts say the intense light can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles, fail to see oncoming traffic, overlook pedestrians crossing the road, or even miss road dividers.

Spotlights are not compulsory at law. A motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two spotlights fitted at the height lower than that of headlamps of the vehicle. They must be fitted at the front of the vehicle and so focused as to avoid dazzling the vision of the driver of an oncoming vehicle at a level road.

It is an offence to drive a motor vehicle fitted with more than two spotlights and it is a violation of the law to use any spotlight on any road as a substitute of headlamps. It is also illegal to use any spotlights to cause annoyance to any person on or off the road in such a manner as to interfere with their vision.

Section 27(4) states that a spotlight fitted solely for the purpose of hunting, searching and night repair work may be fitted above headlamps on condition that they are easily detachable when not in use. Save for the vehicles that I will mention, no vehicle may be driven on any road in Zimbabwe while fitted with a beacon light.

The vehicles that may be fitted with a red beacon lights are an ambulance, ambulance back-up vehicle and a fire engine or a motor vehicle used solely for fire brigade or firefighting purposes.

The vehicles that may be fitted with a blue beacon light are motor vehicles used by or for the purpose of the Police Force or Military Police of the ZNA and vehicles used for escorting the vehicle in which the President or a person authorised by the President is travelling.

The vehicles that may be fitted with an amber beacon light are those for the purpose of traffic law enforcement by a Government Vehicle Inspecting Officer/Driving Examiner, a motor vehicle incorporating a crane, winch or similar device for recovering or towing disable vehicles, a motor vehicle escorting a vehicle carrying an abnormal load, a vehicle towing a disabled vehicle at night and height and side markers, heavy vehicles. While height markers are compulsory, side markers are not and may be fitted by those who opt to.

However, there are certain specifications the lights have to meet and violating such a requirement may then lead to a traffic offence. A heavy vehicle is a vehicle whose net mass exceeds 2 300kg. No person shall drive a heavy vehicle on any road unless such a vehicle is fitted with height lamps at the highest point of the vehicle at the front and back.

The lamps must be not less than 2Watts at the front and rear. They must be not more than 7 watts and emit any colour other than red if visible from the front and other than white if visible from the rear. 

This is not only a safety requirement but a mandatory requirement. It is of paramount importance that a vehicle is visible from a distance. This will make oncoming and drivers behind aware of your presence. Besides lamps on a vehicle, retro-reflectors help improve visibility.