Compulsory stops: when you must stop

When must you stop your vehicle?

You must stop on a public road when:

• a road traffic sign directs you to stop
• a traffic officer in uniform directs you to stop
• a person leading or driving an animal on the road asks or signals you to stop
• you see animals crossing a road

What must you do when animals are on the road?

After you stop for animals crossing a road, move only when all the animals have crossed and the road is safe to continue driving.

The rule about a person leading or driving an animal names these animals: bovine animal (cattle), horse, donkey, mule, sheep, goat, pig or ostrich.

What tyres must a light motor vehicle have?

A light motor vehicle must have pneumatic tyres (tyres filled with air) with a tread at least 1 millimetre deep. Each tyre must show a clearly visible pattern across its whole breadth and around its entire circumference (all the way round).

Numbers to remember

• 1 millimetre: the least tread depth for the tyres of a light motor vehicle

Mistakes learners make

• Driving on when most of the animals have crossed. Wait until all the animals have crossed and the road is safe.
• Thinking only a sign or a traffic officer can make you stop. A person leading or driving an animal may also ask or signal you to stop.

Test yourself

1. Question 1

   Which ONE of the following is NOT a case in which the driver of a vehicle on a public road is required to stop?

   • A When directed to stop by a road traffic sign
   • B When directed to stop by a traffic officer in uniform
   • C When another driver flashes the headlamps of his or her vehicle
   Show answer

   Answer: C: When another driver flashes the headlamps of his or her vehicle

   Another driver's flashing lights do not make you stop; a road sign or a traffic officer in uniform does.

2. Question 2

   A traffic officer in uniform directs you to stop your vehicle on a public road while the traffic light ahead is green. What are you required to do?

   • A Proceed, as the green traffic light takes precedence
   • B Stop the vehicle as directed
   • C Reduce speed and proceed with caution
   Show answer

   Answer: B: Stop the vehicle as directed

   You must stop your vehicle when a traffic officer in uniform directs you to stop.

3. Question 3

   A person leading a horse on a public road signals you to stop your vehicle. What are you required to do?

   • A Stop the vehicle
   • B Sound the hooter and pass the horse
   • C Pass the horse at a reduced speed
   Show answer

   Answer: A: Stop the vehicle

   You must stop when a person who is leading or driving an animal on the road asks or signals you to stop.

4. Question 4

   While driving on a public road, you see animals crossing the road ahead of you. What are you required to do?

   • A Sound the hooter to clear the animals from the road
   • B Drive slowly between the animals
   • C Stop the vehicle
   Show answer

   Answer: C: Stop the vehicle

   You must stop your vehicle when you see animals crossing the road.

5. Question 5

   You have stopped your vehicle because animals are crossing the road. When are you permitted to move off again?

   • A When all the animals have crossed and it is safe to continue
   • B As soon as a gap appears between the animals
   • C As soon as the first animals have left the roadway
   Show answer

   Answer: A: When all the animals have crossed and it is safe to continue

   You may move again only when all the animals have crossed and the road is safe to drive on.

6. Question 6

   A driver must stop at the request of a person leading or driving certain animals on the road. Which ONE of the following is NOT named among those animals?

   • A An ostrich
   • B A dog
   • C A pig
   Show answer

   Answer: B: A dog

   A dog is not on the list; the list is cattle, horse, donkey, mule, sheep, goat, pig and ostrich.