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Driving recommendations
in Mozambique
Traffic in Mozambique is regulated by the Road Decree (Law 1/2011). The information for the following
selected
driving recommendations was collected and summarized from the Road Decree.
General tips All visitors using a vehicle in Mozambique should adopt a rather passive driving style to
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prevent any involvement in accidents. '.
Always carry your car documents
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Always carry a copy of your ID (including Visa)
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ALWAYS STOP.According to the law, police has the authority to stop a car.
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Traffic police officers always wear white shirts. They also have to carry a badge with their name.
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If you commit traffic violation accepts the fine but NEVERpay it on the spot. According to the law, you have 7 days to pay in the Comando Geral da Policia or any Provincial Police Station. According to what article? And a copy in English and Portuguese
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Policemen are not supposed to keep your documents or the documents of the vehicle. That is against the law. According to what article? And a copy in English and Portuguese
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NEVERphotograph a policeman. That is illegal.
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Driving on the beach is not allowed. Some beaches have designated driving areas. You may only drive on the beach when launching a boat
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NEVERgive a ride to a public order policeman (armed and with a gray uniform) if they ask to take you to a traffic police station. They can however call the traffic police patrol to the spot
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Policemen are NOT supposed to take you to a Police Station in any circumstances (except in case of an accident) According to what article? And a copy in English and Portuguese
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NEVERENTERINTO DISCUSSIONSWITH THE POLICE.BEALWAYSKIND AND POLITEWITH MOZAMBICAN AUTHORITIES.
Specific driving regulations accerdtng to the Mozambican Traffic Code o
It is prohibited to take alcoholic beverages or drugs in the area of the car reserved for passengers. It is forbidden to drive under the influence of alcohol or psychotropic substances (art 81)
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Drivers shall not drive around with part of their body outside of the vehicle (art 16). So, avoid leaning your elbow outside of the window.
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Vehicles shall be driven on the left of carriageways, and as close as possible to shoulders or sidewalks but at the distance from these required to avoid any accident (art 17)
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Drivers should not use any type of audio head phone or television device while the vehicle is in motion, except for the use of devices equipped with headsets or microphones whose use does not require continue handling (art 89) The driver of, and passengers transported in, automobiles, shall be obliged to use seatbelts and other safety accessories, on the terms set out in regulations. (art 87) Does this include passangers on the back seat? (Art 87) Children under the age of 12 who are transported in automobiles fitted with safety belts shall be secured by using a retention system designed for and adapted to their measurements and weight. Children transported in terms of the previous number shall be so transported on the back seat, except in the following situations: a} if the child is under 3 years of age, and is transported using a back facing retention system, in which case the air cushion in front of the passenger may not be activated; b) if the child is older than 3 years of age, and the vehicle does not have back seat safety belts, or does not have a back seat. The transport of children under 3 years of age is prohibited in automobiles which do not have safety belts. Sound signals shall be brief, used moderately, and shall in no case be used to protest against traffic interruptions, or as ways of calling others. (art 24)
In case of an accident, (art 92) 1. A driver involved in an accident shall provide, to all other parties involved, his identification, as well as that of the owner of the vehicle and of its insurer, as well as the number of the insurance policy, and shall, whenever requested, produce documentation in proof thereof. 2. If the accident results in deaths, or injuries, the driver shall await the arrival of a traffic officer at the place of the accident. Do the driver have to be lockup up in jail? For how long? What are the steps to take? How can they call? Numbers? What is the duty of the Insurance Company? Can we add numbers of the South African Embacy?
Fines The fine and costs shall be paid within a period of 15 working days, counting from the date on which the decision became definitive, and payment shall be made in the manners prescribed in regulations (art 172 and 181). If you decide to pay the fine on the road, ask for a receipt.
Speed limit
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Maximum speed in Mozambique is 120 km/h. Before entering a town or village you will see signs of 80 and 60 km/h signs. DO RESPECT THEM. There will probably be a police vehicle with radar speed control at the end of the speed limit area. Sometimes there is no sign indicating you can start to drive faster (people from villages sometimes steal.these signs), so keep the 60km/hour until the end of the inhabited area. Do also reduce the speed when you see a school sign. It
(art 30) Speed shall be considered to be excessive whenever a driver is not able to stop his vehicle in the free space which is visible in front of him, or exceeds the speed limits set down by law. A contravention of the provisions of this Article is punishable by a fine of 1.000 Mt.
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(Art 32) Speed shall in particular be adjusted in the following cases: a) On steep descents; b) At bends, at intersections, junctions, traffic circles, slopes in the road, bridges, tunnels and level crossings, and in other areas in which visibility is reduced; b) Next to schools, hospitals, and similar establishments, when duly signposted; c) In towns, or on roads lined with buildings; d) When approaching groups of people or animals; e) At intersections with other vehicles; J) In all places in which there is reduced visibility; g) On sections of roads which are in a bad state, wet or muddy, or which are slippery; h) On crossings on carriageways, indicated as pedestrian crossings; i) At places signposted with danger signs;
MOl.ambican Traffic Law establishes following speed limits (art 33) Speed limits Vehicle
Maxspeed
Maxspeed
Within towns
Outside of towns
Car without a trailer
60
120
Car with a trailer
60
100
Fines applied to exceeded speed light vehicle or motorcycle Within towns
Outside of towns
Speed Exceeded by up to 20km/h From 20 to 40km/h
Amount of fine
From 40 to GOkm/h More than 60 km/h
4000 MT
Serious
8000 MT
Serious
Speed
Amount of fine 1000 MT 2000MT
Contravention Minor Medium
Exceeded by up to 30km/h From 20 to 40km/h
1000 MT 2000MT
Contravention Minor Medium
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From 40 to GOkm/h More than 60 km/h
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4000MT 8000MT
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Serious Serious
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ANEX of Road Decree in Portuguese If you are not able to understand each other with the policeman, you can show him/her the following extract of the Road Decree in Portuguese. -
About fine payments Art. 172: Cumprimento voluntario (multas): 1.
E admitido
0
pagamento voluntario da muIta, ou
reclamacao, nos termos e com os efeitos estabelecidos nos numeros seguintes. 2. A opcao de pagamento voluntario e sem acrescirno de custas deve verificar-se no prazo de 15 dias uteis a contar da notificacao para
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efeito, podendo,
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infractor pagar a multa em qualquer
Departamento Provincial de Translto da Policia da Republica de Moc;ambique ou Delegacao Provincial de V.iac;ao.
Article 172: Voluntary compliance (fines): 1. It admitted the voluntary payment of the fine, or . complaint, and in accordance with the purposes set out in the following paragraphs. 2. The option of voluntary payment and without additional expense must be verified within 15 working days of notification to this effect, and may pay the fine the offender in any Provincial Department of Traffic Police of the Republic of Mozambique and the Provincial Delegation. Traffic ..
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MOZAMBIQUE EMERGENCY NUMBERS & VISITOR INFORMATION
www.lmradio.co.mz Compulsory item checklist: • 3'd party insurance - purchase at the border • 2 emergency triangles and reflective bib
• If towing - yellow triangle on blue sticker • ZA sticker - SA registered cars • Vehicle registration and customs papers • Passport and drivers licence
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[;lIck n [;lay Inspired by you
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vodacom
Customer Care 84111
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Pia&'
We're ;:
Hollard
+25821 468600
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life
GLOBAL ., ALLIANCE SEGUROS-INSURANCE
+258 21 357 700
+27 82 824 8366.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS Anti-corruption
Hot line:
+258 82 965 7804 Medical Emergencies
84124
- ER24
Maputo General Hospital:
+258 21 320 828 +258 84 389 0468 Police:
112 +25821 400 159 South African High Commission
+25821 243000 +258 84 304 4600 - after hours emergencies Trac N4 toll route Emergencies:
+258 82 303 4 303 or 84 34 34 346 Dealing with the Police: Traffic police wear white shirts and navy blue trousers. Regular police wear a grey uniform. If stopped by a traffic policeman for a traffic offence, you may be required to pay a spot fine. Always insist on a ticket and ask for an official numbered receipt when you pay. Note the name of the official. Regular (grey) police may ask you for identification and search your car for weapons. Always ask for identification and take their name. They have no authority to issue traffic fines. Never hand over your passport or drivers licence, you are only required to show your documents. If you are asked for a bribe immediately call the anti-corruption hotline and ask for help. Paying a bribe is an offence under the anti-corruption laws and you may face arrest. In any motor accident involving the serious injury or death of a person, the police may arrest the driver and impound the car. lrnmedlately" contact your embassy.
Remember to carry your passport and drivers licence with you at all times.
