Road Traffic Act 1961 (SA)

South Australia

Road Traffic Act 1961

An Act to prescribe the duties of road users; to provide for nationally consistent road rules; to provide for vehicle standards, mass and loading requirements and other safety measures in relation to light vehicles; to regulate the identification of vehicles; to provide for the installation, use and maintenance of traffic control devices; to provide for the closing of roads for traffic management and other purposes; to provide for the use of photographic detection devices; to provide for the enforcement of Australian road laws and the recognition of administrative actions and court orders of other Australian jurisdictions; and for other purposes.

The Parliament of South Australia enacts as follows:

This Act may be cited as the Road Traffic Act 1961.

1. (1)

   This Act binds the Crown in right of the State and also, so far as the legislative power of the State extends, in all its other capacities.

2. (2)

   No criminal liability attaches to the Crown itself (as distinct from its agents, instrumentalities, officers and employees) under this Act.

1. (1)

   In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears—

accident includes—

1. (a)

   a collision between 2 or more vehicles; or

2. (b)

   any other accident or incident involving a vehicle in which a person is killed or injured, property is damaged, or an animal in someone's charge is killed or injured;

air cushioned vehicle means a motor vehicle (commonly known as a ground effect machine or hovercraft) which is supported during operation, above land or water, by air vertically displaced by means of the power plant of the vehicle;

area means a municipality or district council district;

articulated motor vehicle means a combination consisting of a prime mover towing one semi-trailer;

Australian Authority means the Minister, the Registrar of Motor Vehicles or a corresponding Authority;

Australian road law means a road law or a corresponding road law;

Australian road law offence means an offence against an Australian road law;

authorised officer means—

1. (a)

   a person appointed as an authorised officer under section 35 or a person of a class of persons appointed as authorised officers under that section; or

2. (b)

   a police officer;

axle means one or more shafts positioned in a line across a vehicle, on which one or more wheels intended to support the vehicle turn;

axle group means a single axle group, tandem axle group, twinsteer axle group, tri‑axle group or quad-axle group;

bicycle means a vehicle with 2 or more wheels that is built to be propelled by human power through a belt, chain or gears (whether or not it has an auxiliary motor), and—

1. (a)

   includes a pedicab, penny‑farthing and tricycle; and

2. (b)

   includes a power assisted pedal cycle (within the meaning of vehicle standards determined under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 of the Commonwealth); but

3. (c)

   does not include a wheelchair, wheeled recreational device, wheeled toy, or any vehicle (other than a vehicle referred to in paragraph…