{"id":425540,"date":"2020-08-14T12:45:06","date_gmt":"2020-08-14T10:45:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=425540"},"modified":"2020-08-14T15:35:27","modified_gmt":"2020-08-14T13:35:27","slug":"the-rules-around-wearing-a-mask-while-driving-in-south-africa-and-the-fines-you-can-expect-to-pay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/motoring\/425540\/the-rules-around-wearing-a-mask-while-driving-in-south-africa-and-the-fines-you-can-expect-to-pay\/","title":{"rendered":"The rules around wearing a mask while driving in South Africa – and the fines you can expect to pay"},"content":{"rendered":"

Magistrates across the country are releasing updated admission of guilt penalties<\/a><\/strong> for breaking South Africa’s lockdown regulations, including a number of motoring-specific fines.<\/p>\n

Of particular importance for motorists, is the failure to ensure your passengers wear masks while in a vehicle. Motorists can be fined as much as R1,000 for breaking this law under the current State of Disaster, said managing director of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert.<\/p>\n

Herbert said while Covid-19 continues to spread, drivers need to treat face masks in the same way that they would a seat belt.<\/p>\n

“A driver who wants to ensure that their passengers are protected from unnecessary harm should a crash be unavoidable, will always ensure that every passenger has a seat belt fastened.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the same way that you ensure safety belts are secured before starting, ask passengers to put their face masks on as well. If you struggle to drive with a mask yourself because it fogs your glasses, purchase a mask that prevents this.<\/p>\n

“Research is showing that the wearing of face masks is one of the strongest defences against the transmission of the virus. Even if a hefty fine is not enough to convince you, the importance of not contracting the disease should.”<\/p>\n

When it comes to travelling with people with whom you share a home, the law appears to be open to interpretation, said Herbert.<\/p>\n

“If you are pulled over, however, you should wear a face mask when speaking to the police officer. As such, keep your mask close at hand for this and in case the officer requests that you wear one with a passenger, irrespective of who they are.<\/p>\n

“There have been instances where officers threaten penalties for not wearing a mask with a passenger but there are more cases where the officer simply asks you to wear the mask. If the officer does not simply ask you to wear a mask, explain your living situation.<\/p>\n

“There are more reasonable officers than irrational ones. They don\u2019t make the news or social media because it has no interest factor.”<\/p>\n

Herbert said that other fines that can affect motorists include:<\/p>\n