How to travel safely in the country

NELSPRUIT – Driving in South Africa can be very daunting for tourists who are unfamiliar with the traffic rules and regulations. Traffic volumes also drastically increase during Christmas and New Year’s, with accidents frequently occuring due to reckless or drunk driving.

Here are some basic guidelines to help tourists who are travelling in South Africa for the first time.

Basic rules and information

• In South Africa vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road and the majority (including rental cars) are right-hand drive vehicles.

• Always keep to the left and pass right.

• South Africa uses the metric system and all distances, speed limits and speedometers are in kilometers. (1 mile – 1,6 km)

• All signposts are written in English.

• It is compulsory for all occupants of a vehicle to wear a seatbelt while travelling. Failure to do so may earn you a fine.

• Do not drink and drive. The laws are very strict and even one glass of wine may put you over the legal limit.

• At quieter intersections, four-way-stops are more common than traffic lights.

The rule is that the first vehicle to arrive has priority, but this principle is not always obeyed.

• On roundabouts, give way to the right, but proceed with caution as motorists often don’t indicate or give way.

• It is against the law to use a hand-held mobile phone when driving. Use a hands-free kit or vehicle phone attachment instead.

Driver’s licence

• When driving, ensure that you have all the necessary documentation as traffic officers will expect to see it if they stop you.

• It is wise to carry an international driver’s permit with your national driving licence.

The permit must be printed or authenticated in English.

• If your licence does not have a photo of you on, carry your passport with for identification purposes.

On the road

• In South Africa the national roads (usually indicated with a N and a number) are well-maintained tar surfaces. Most of them are toll roads, so be sure to check the toll fees before you leave.

Take enough cash or your credit card to cover those expenses.

• Rural roads, especially those carrying heavy traffic, tend to have a lot of potholes and poor surface quality.

• Carefully plan your trip if you intend to drive around South Africa.

It is quite easy to get lost, especially in rural areas, and you may end up on someone’s farm.

• Avoid travelling in the dark as cattle and wildlife may wander onto the road in remote areas.

• A GPS is a good investment, but there are also a variety of maps available at most petrol stations or tourist information centres.

• It is advised that motorists stop to rest every two hours or 200km, to avoid fatigue which can lead to accidents.

• Petrol/fuel stations are situated on most routes and most towns will have at least one, but distances between them can be significant at times. Keep an eye on the fuel gauge.

• Petrol stations are mostly open 24 hours and manned by attendants, who pour in the fuel and can also check oil, water and tyre pressure if required.

• Petrol attendants are the best people to ask for directions, as they are usually very familiar with the area.

• Most petrol stations have restaurants and restrooms, where you can grab a bite to eat and freshen up on long drives.

Speed limits

• Always pay attention to road signs and follow the directions.

• The general speed limit on national highways, urban freeways and other major routes is 120km/h (75mph). On secondary (rural) roads it is 100km/h (60mph).

• In towns and settlements it is usually 60km/h (35mph) unless otherwise indicated.

Safety precautions

• Always drive with your doors locked and windows closed, especially when you often stop at traffic lights.

• Do not pick up hitchhikers. If you are worried about someone, report it in the next town.

• Lock your car when you leave it and make sure no valuables are visible to tempt thieves.

• Ask your hosts (or the managers of guest houses and hotels) if there are any areas you should avoid driving through.

• Switch on the headlights of the vehicle to be more visible to other motorists, especially in conditions when visibility is poor.

Emergencies:

In case of emergency, you can call:

• SAPS – 10111

• Ambulance – 10117

• Netcare911 – 082 911

• ER24 – 084 124

You can also dial 112 from a mobile phone for emergency services.

Sources: https://www.arrivealive.co.za/pages.aspx?i=2393, https://www.drivesouthafrica.co.za/driving-information/south-africa/, https://www.southafricatravel.net/road-safety-advice.html