National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act No. 93 of 1996)RegulationsNational Road Traffic Regulations, 2000Chapter VI : Fitness of VehiclesPart II : Equipment on or in respect of vehicles161. Dipped-beam |
| (1) | Every head lamp emitting a dipped-beam of light which, when projected onto a vertical screen, shows a beam pattern with a sharp, clearly defined cut-off line diagonal to the left (hereinafter referred to as the "diagonal cut-off line") and horizontal to the right (hereinafter referred to as the "horizontal cut-off line"), shall be so adjusted and maintained that, when the motor vehicle concerned is on a reasonably level road such beam at the horizontal cut-off line shall— |
| (a) | slant downwards at a percentage inclination of at least 0,5 percent which percentage inclination shall be calculated in accordance with the formula— |
(h1 – h2)
|
x 100; and |
L |
|
| (b) | strike the road surface ahead of the motor vehicle within a distance in metres calculated in accordance with the formula 200 x h1 |
| (2) | In the formulae referred to in subregulation (1)— |
| (a) | "h1" represents the height in metres of the head lamp measured to the centre of the head lamp vertically from ground level; |
| (b) | "h2" represents the height in metres of the horizontal cut-off line measured vertically from ground level at the screen contemplated in subregulation (1); and |
| (c) | "L" represents the distance in metres of the screen contemplated in subregulation (1) measured horizontally from the head lamp as illustrated hereunder. |
| (3) | Every head lamp emitting a dipped-beam of light which, when projected onto a vertical screen, shows a symmetrical light-pattern or does not have a diagonal and horizontal cut-off line, shall be so adjusted and maintained that when the motor vehicle concerned is on a reasonably level road, the centre of the intense part of such beam shall slant downwards to strike the road surface ahead of the motor vehicle within a distance not exceeding 45 metres. |
| (4) | Every head lamp emitting a dipped-beam of light shall be so adjusted and maintained that— |
| (a) | it shall be capable of adequately illuminating an area ahead of the motor vehicle concerned enabling the driver to see any person, vehicle or substantial object at a distance of at least 45 metres ahead of the motor vehicle: Provided that the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to a head lamp emitting a dipped-beam of light fitted to the side-car of a motor cycle; |
| (b) | it does not cause a dangerous glare to oncoming traffic on a reasonably level road; and |
| (c) | the intersection of the diagonal and horizontal cut-off lines of a dipped-beam referred to in subregulation (1), or the centre of the intense part of a dipped beam referred to in subregulation (3), shall not deflect to the right. |