Rules in detail: Brakes, hooter and warning devices

Motorcycle brakes

What the rule says. You may not ride a motorcycle on a public road unless it has two independent braking systems. One must act on the front wheel and the other on the rear wheel or wheels. The brakes must be in good working order.

Why it matters. Having two separate systems means that if one fails, the other can still slow the motorcycle.

In practice. A motorcycle with a working rear brake but nothing acting on the front wheel may not be ridden on a public road. Test both brakes before you ride off.

Key idea: Two independent brakes: one on the front wheel, one on the rear.

Brakes on light and heavy vehicles

What the rule says. Every light and heavy motor vehicle used on a public road must have a service brake, a parking brake and an emergency brake, all in good working order. The emergency brake and the parking brake may be one and the same brake.

In practice. If your handbrake also serves as your emergency brake, that is allowed. A vehicle with a good service brake and parking brake but no working emergency brake, where the two are not the same brake, may not be used. Test each brake regularly, since all of them must be in good working order whenever you use the vehicle.

Key idea: Service, parking and emergency brakes, with the last two allowed to be one brake.

Using the hooter

What the rule says. No person may use a vehicle's hooter except when it is necessary for safety. A light motor vehicle may not be used on a public road unless it has a hooter in good working order that, when sounded, can be clearly heard by a person of normal hearing from a distance of 90 metres. Sirens or warning devices that play a tune may not be used in private vehicles.

In practice. If a child steps into your path, using the hooter is allowed. Hooting at the driver in front because the light just turned green is not, because it is not for safety.

Key idea: Hoot only for safety; the hooter must be audible from 90 metres.

Emergency vehicles and their warning lights

What the rule says. A driver or rider must give immediate right of way to every emergency vehicle that is sounding a siren and displaying emergency warning lights. The manual names these vehicles and their light colours. Red: a fire-fighting vehicle, a fire-fighting response vehicle, a rescue vehicle, an emergency medical response vehicle and an ambulance. Blue: a vehicle driven by a traffic officer carrying out duties. Green: a vehicle driven by a person engaged in civil protection.

In practice. When an ambulance with a siren and red lights approaches from behind, give way immediately.

Key idea: Give immediate way: red for fire, rescue, medical and ambulance; blue for traffic officers; green for civil protection.

Warning triangles: who carries them

What the rule says. Any heavy motor vehicle (gross vehicle mass above 3 500 kg), all goods vehicles, minibuses and buses must carry at least one emergency warning sign when used on a public road. Motor cars, ambulances and motorcycles are excluded. For a combination of vehicles, the signs for every vehicle in the combination may be carried on the drawing vehicle.

In practice. A minibus taxi must carry a triangle, but an ordinary motor car need not. A goods vehicle pulling a trailer may carry the trailer's sign on the goods vehicle.

Key idea: Heavy vehicles, goods vehicles, minibuses and buses carry at least one triangle.

Placing the warning triangle

What the rule says. When a vehicle is stationary on the roadway, the driver must display at least one emergency warning sign. It must be placed not less than 45 metres from the vehicle, along the roadway in the direction traffic approaches on the side nearest the vehicle. It must be about as far from the edge of the roadway as the centre of the vehicle is, with its reflective side facing approaching traffic. The sign is not needed where a road traffic sign allows loading or unloading, where you stop following a road sign or a traffic officer's direction, where you stop because of other traffic while you stay in the driving seat, or during a State or municipal function.

In practice. After a breakdown, walk the triangle back and place it at least 45 metres away.

Key idea: Triangle at least 45 metres back, reflective side facing oncoming traffic.

Quick recap

• Motorcycles need two independent brakes: one on the front wheel and one on the rear wheel or wheels
• Light and heavy vehicles need a service, parking and emergency brake; the last two may be the same brake
• Use the hooter only when necessary for safety; it must be audible from 90 metres
• Sirens or devices that play a tune are not allowed in private vehicles
• Give immediate right of way: red lights for fire, rescue, medical and ambulance; blue for traffic officers; green for civil protection
• Triangle carried by heavy vehicles above 3 500 kg, goods vehicles, minibuses and buses, but not cars, ambulances or motorcycles
• Place the triangle at least 45 metres from the vehicle, reflective side towards approaching traffic