Road Safety Advice for Driving on South African Roads

• By: Editor
• On: 12/Aug/2009
• In: South Africa Travel Tips

· Drive on the left hand side of the road in South Africa – similar to Ireland and the UK. Keep to the left and overtake on the right hand side only.

· Signposts and Road signs in South Africa are written in English, so no language barrier there!

· It is important to plan your routes well in advance – the best advice is to plan ahead! Invest in a good quality road map of South Africa and have your travel route well researched. Also check out your route on other modes such as Google Maps or avail of a GPS or Sat Nav when reserving your car rental!

· Many of the National Routes between the larger urban centres are of road toll type. Again, plan in advance as to what the toll fees are, and have your cash or credit card on hand to access the road!

· National Roads are under the auspices of the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL). Road standards are generally of high standard, and are tarred. Obviously, the more rural your location, the standard of road will be that bit poorer, so be aware of this. For more information on road conditions visit the AA South Africa website!

· Being such a vast country, you may not be used to such long driving distances, so break up your journey and plan in advance as to where you are going to stay. Let friends and family members at home know your movements and where you are going to take an overnight stay.

· If you stop to ask for directions, you may need to be aware of some of the local lingo! Traffic Lights are known as "Robots" – so if you are told to go straight ahead at the very next "Robot", this is what they mean!

· Fuel Stations in the main operate a policy of being open for 24 hours. In the main they employ assistants who not only will fill your vehicle, but will check your oil, water and the pressure of your tyres if you request it. Don’t forget to tip your car attendant!

· If these Petrol Stations have bathrooms and restaurants on site, don’t forget to use them on long journeys, if only to refresh yourselves and stretch those legs!

· Three types of vehicle fuel are for sale, Leaded, Unleaded and Dual Fuel which may be used in place of either. The South African Government sets and operates the price of fuel.

· Note that you must carry your National Drivers Licence with you at all times when driving (make sure it has a photograph!) – and it is also advised to have with you an International Driver’s Permit.

· Thoroughly check your vehicle for oil, water, and tyre pressure before leaving on a journey and remember to fully plan your route!

· If you need directions, it’s probably best to stop at a Fuel Station and enquire there.

· If travelling in poor visibility, do switch on your dipped headlights.

· Drive with your doors locked and windows fully closed, most especially when stopping at traffic lights.

· Always lock your vehicle doors if you leave it, and be vigilant, especially when travelling in a foreign country. Try to park in a well-lit area that has plenty of traffic.

· Avoid travelling at night if possible, and in very remote areas. Don’t pick up hitchhikers.

· Don’t drive if you are tired – share the journey!

Find out all you need to know about Roads in South Africa.

Travelling to South Africa in the coming months? The best way to explore this vast and beautiful country is to avail of a top quality car rental. Book Car Rentals South Africa and visit our Car Hire Cape Town page.

Have you been to South Africa and driven on its highways and freeways? If you have any South Africa driving and road safety tips and information please make our readers aware of them. As always, we welcome your comments.