SANParks.org Forums

I don't want to start a big thing here, and I know I am going to be slated for this, but this past weekend I was pulled over by a traffic officer in Kruger for the first time.

She drove past me in the opposite direction, suddenly turned around and came racing back to me with blue light flashing and siren screaming. I was quite worried, and thought what now ????

Well I am sorry to say I was guilty.
I'm sure this has been discussed on the forum before, but I had my 3 year old son sitting on my lap "helping me drive" and spotting animals.
Boy that lady was upset - how dare I break the rules so blatantly.....

Come on guys....really ????
I know rules are rules, and no matter how big or small they should be adhered to, but what is the problem with this ?
I'm driving 20/30km/h and I'm in total control of the vehicle.
If I spot elephants, or traffic I simply take him off my lap and he goes to sit in the back. (I drive a kombi). Where in any of this is anyone's life in danger ????
Many of us have been sitting on our dad's laps driving through Kruger since we were tiny.
I have never heard of any incident where someone with a kid on their lap caused an accident ?

The worst of all was that minutes before I was pulled off a White Fortuner came racing past doing at least 80km/h.
Earlier the morning we had people hanging out their cars at a wild dog sighting, but I get pulled for having my son on my lap.
It's not right....

anyone else feel the same way, or am I going to be blasted here ?

Point is, it was not your lucky day jb72!
As you say yourself, rules are rules and have to be obeyed.
There are not that many traffic officers in the Kruger and they cannot attend to each and every transgression, because they are not right there at the stage when it occurs.
Maybe she had a quiet day, and was too glad to find someone who didn't obey the rules?

I suppose she was busy writing your ticket, that's why she couldn't attend to the white Fortuner that came rushing by.

Don't be so upset, just enjoy your holiday in "heaven on earth" and obey the rules.

Sorry about your issue.
Can I just say though that I have seen animals charge out of the bush and there would not be time to get your child off your lap.
My friend and myself for example came around a corner at 25 kilo per hour and a baby rhino and Mother crossed the road.
The Mother was REALLY UPSET and we just missed each other.
I think the rule makes sense.
I am sorry though as it does have a dampener on your holiday.
I also get upset with people hanging out of windows and cars racing around but its like that out of the park too. Many times when taxis etc are driving like lunatics I ask where are the police now?
I do hope though that you enjoy the rest of your holiday and you have good spottings.

Unfortunately I'm not on holiday. Just the usual weekend drive (KNP is only 60km away from home).

Listen - don't get me wrong. I get in enough trouble (especially from my SO ) not to get too worried about a screaming traffic cop on a power trip. I'm just trying to make sense of the whole affair. And I also have to decide if I'll let the little fellow sit on my lap again next weekend

Luck with sightings and "luck" with not being stopped for breaking a rule are two different "lucks". I am glad to hear that you had such wonderful sightings! It makes up for the bad luck with the traffic officer! Hope to find a trip report on the Forum when you return?

I don't wear a seat belt in KNP, it hampers my movement when I want to take pictures.

Ja Rooies - I know I was wrong.
That much I was told.
Fact is, that I would not have caused the accident.
If my child sits on my lap, it's my decision, and the risk I'm taking.
The Fortuner was the one at fault, and whether my child was on my lap or not, there would be no difference.

I'm not looking for excuses to break the law.
Do you wear your seat belt in the park ???
Seems like I'm not the only one breaking the laws....

Sorry Jb, with the others here, the cop was right. Not sure if your vehicle has airbags, most do and people don't realize a kid on the seat is in the way of the airbag deploying, that in itself could kill or seriously injure the child. I would then have to way up serious injury to my child against the thrill of him sitting on my lap. Only one option for me.

jb72
Imo you dont seem to realize what will happen to your child if you hit the brakes to avoid a crossing animal
who comes dashing out of the bushes.
Wonder what will happen if your child hits the windscreen at 25 km per hour.
I see this quite a lot on Kruger roads and certainly do not understand the parents

I also agree.

Alright. I give up.
Clearly I'm in the wrong here.
Obviously nobody grew up the way I did.
Have to admit - it was one the the thrills of my life "driving" with my dad looking for animals.
I understand what everyone is saying, and I totally agree.

The fact though is that I was told that driving with a child on your lap is not allowed on SA roads, and therefore not allowed in KNP.
The safety of the child has nothing to do with it.
If this is the case, I still don't see why we can drive without seatbelts.

I do spend a lot of time in the park, and see many other parents doing the same thing.
I'm going to keep an eye on those cars and look for yellow ribbons in future....

Don't worry - I don't get upset about little things.
I've realised a long time ago that people on this forum are all very passionate (read fanatical) about the park, and will tell you if they don't agree with you.

Fortunately I managed to sweet talk my way out of a fine.
One thing I have found about law officers in this country - if they don't want your money they are only looking for a sincere apology.
I really did not know that driving with my child on my lap was against the law.
That's why I started this thread.
Fortunately the loving forum family pointed out the error in my ways.

Now I just need to figure out why Rooies thinks it's wrong to pick up fire wood along the road....

Just don't do it! Control is compromised whatever you may think, and as others have pointed out in an emergency stop or worse, a crash, your child has not got a hope - you will crush the child against the steering wheel with incredible force even at slow speeds. It is a pet hate of traffic officers and section rangers to see this done.

Remember in years gone by there was much less traffic just for a starter........ and we did not always appreciate the danger in what we did.

Ok JB my dad also let me ride on his lap in the Kruger and I loved it.
I would love to do it with my kids in the future but my fellow mites have given a few very good reasons not to do it.
I am sorry that it happened to you because you only wanted your LO to experience the Kruger the way you did.

Peeps I have opened my door numerously in the Kruger to pick up garbage my fellow visitors have thrown out of their windows while visiting this park.
I know what I'm doing is against the rules but isn't throwing it out in the first place too?
Is making a right out of a wrong right?

Be careful! Even HRs (whether in uniform or not) are not allowed to pick up refuse unless they have had instruction on the safety aspects and what is and what is not allowed.
And then they have to register with the section ranger to do a litter patrol on a specific route.
This is for safety and in case someone reports that they have seen folk out of a car (they do not have to rush off to save/confront law-breakers!).
They also have to have HR decals on doors and rear of the vehicle, and report on the duty afterwards.

Having said all that, if you can pick up something without leaving the car - stopping right next to it, or using a litter grabber - then I do not think anyone would fine you for opening a door to do so, especially if the bush is not thick in that area!

jb72....strong’s mate, all I can say is that I'm with you on this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let's not become over excited... the point that jb wanna to make was that his 'rule break' wasn't as serious as others and does it really ask for such an intervention from the officials

Does it really match up to the reply I got over the Easter weekend when I asked a traffic official why they don’t do 'drunk driving road blocks' in Kruger even if alcohol is not allowed for day visitors and the polite gentleman informed me that Kruger is there for all to enjoy with minimal interruption for the visitors...I mean COME ON
Stop focusing on the nitties and the dads educating their children about Kruger’s future, rather look at more serious issues that might make a difference....