Unpacking vehicle lighting laws

 

By Dex

As the nation grapples A with the dual concerns of increasing road traf fic incidents and fluctuating vehicle conditions, the appli cability of laws concerning spotlights, especially high-in tensity lights, invites signifi-cant scrutiny.

In this write up, I will exam ine the legislative framework governing vehicle lighting, the practicality of these reg ulations, and the broader im-plications for safety and en forcement in Zimbabwe.

The legal framework sur rounding vehicular lighting in Zimbabwe is multifaceted, encompassing various stat utes, regulations, and codes of practice. The Road Traffic Act of 1996, alongside the Mo tor Vehicle Registration Act, establishes guidelines per taining to the acceptable use of vehicle lights.

While standard lighting ing sys tems 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 visi bility during nocturnal travel, yet their mismanagement can lead to blinding other road users, thereby exacerbating

road safety hazards. Despite the existence of reg ulations, the enforcement of

laws pertaining to spot-lights remains challeng-ing in Zimbabwe. Public awareness of these laws is often inadequate, lead-ing to widespread misuse of auxiliary lights. Many drivers employ spotlights indiscriminately, oper ating under the miscon-ception that enhanced illumination equates to improved safety.

While the laws articulate a framework intended to en hance road safety, their prac-tical enforcement and the public's adherence have yet to dovetail effectively.

Reports from traffic au thorities indicate that sever-al nocturnal accidents arise from improper usage of spotlights, with drivers fail-ing to dim their lights. The law governing spotlights in Zimbabwe serves to under score the interplay between regulation, enforcement, and community understanding of road safety.

Evolving these laws with public education and strict er enforcement may foster a safer driving environment on Zimbabwean roads. The pur suit of road safety demands not only a robust legal frame-work but also active collabo-ration with the Government, law enforcement agencies, and the driving public to nur-

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ture a culture of compliance. Motorists using high-beam

headlights seem unaware that the glare can be hazard-ous for other commuters. Ex-perts 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 compul sory at law. A motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two spotlights fit-ted at the height lower than that of headlamps of the ve hicle. 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 man ner 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 head lamps on condition that they are easily detacha ble when not in use. Save for the vehicles that I will men tion, no vehicle may be driv en 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, ambu lance 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 es corting the vehicle in which the President or a person au-thorised by the President is travelling.

The vehicles that may be fitted with an amber beacon light are those for the pur pose of traffic law enforce ment by a Government Vehi cle Inspecting Officer/Driving Examiner, a motor vehicle in

corporating a crane, winch or similar device for recovering or towing disable vehicles, a motor vehicle escorting a vehicle carrying an abnor mal 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 ve-hicle 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 col our other than red if visible from the front and other than white if visible from the rear.

This is not only a safety re-quirement but a mandatory requirement. It is of para-mount importance that a vehi cle 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.

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