Did you know that if your car gets stuck you can be fined for obstructing traffic, that having a sticker of another country on your car when crossing the border is illegal and using your fog lights on a clear day will cost you R500?

The Automobile Association of South Africa (The AA) has put together a list of some of the most random and unknown fines in the book:

• If you run out of petrol and your vehicle is stuck in a position that obstructs traffic you can be fined R500 for obstructing traffic
• If you do not have an emergency triangle in your boot you can be fined up to R500
• You may not have a design/sticker within 150 mm’s of your license plate if it’s not a component of the vehicle, this can be a fine of up to R1000
• When crossing the border the AA will issue you with a ZA sticker, however some people display stickers on from other countries on their cars. Distinguishing signs of foreign countries are not allowed on SA registered vehicles, only the ZA sticker is allowed. This can land you a fine of up to R250
• If you have a learners license for your motorcycle you can get a R1000 fine if you carry a passenger
• Having a souped up car is all the rage, but did you know if you alter any part of your car, like the suspension, add NOS, increase the power and so on, you have to have the car road worthy tested. If you don’t, you can get a fine of R1200 for altering the roadworthiness of your car
• It is illegal to operate a bicycle without a brake on the back wheel, this can see you getting a fine of R100
• Though there is a campaign that encourages people to drive with their lights on, it is illegal to drive with your fog lights on when the conditions are clear and there is good visibility. This can see you getting a fine of R 500.
• If you have an antitheft/antihijack device, you may not place it on your steering wheel as this has previously lead to accidents if accidently activated, the fine for this is R750
• You must always keep a safe following distance when driving behind another car, you can get fined up to R1000 for following another car too closely
• If you fail to give immediate right of way to an emergency vehicle you can be fined R500
• If you are a cyclist, you can get a R100 fine for not wearing a helmet
• The most random fine of all has to be this fine – You can be fined R250 for transporting a person or animal on top of your vehicle (strange but true)
• And as the festive season approaches, consider that you can be charged R1500 for refusing to give a blood alcohol/breath test when asked to

For a full list of all the fines go to the AARTO website.