South Africa is a
vast country with many long, winding and seemingly endless roads. Most are well kept and easy to navigate,
and driving on them is a piece of cake.
Others, particularly in rural areas, present more of a challenge to
drivers and can be downright dangerous.
Additionally, given the high crime rate in South Africa, drivers are
often faced with much more than just traffic hazards when on the road.
Here are a few safety tips to keep in
mind if you plan to drive while visiting this beautiful country.
Road Hazards
First and
foremost, expect other drivers to overtake you. This may occur on any street, and in any lane (including the
shoulder), so keep your eye on your mirrors. If you see someone trying to get by you, it’s best to just
pull over and let them pass.
Use your judgment,
though. Don’t do it if you feel
that doing so would place you in harm’s way, like while coming around a sharp
bend.
Also be alert when
you come to an intersection with a four way stop, which are common in South
Africa. Rule of thumb is “first
come, first served”, so pay attention and wait your turn to avoid a possible
collision.
Minibuses are popular
means of transportation in South Africa; however they are also quite
dangerous. More than 60,000
accidents involving minibuses occur there each year with nearly a thousand being
fatal.
Street marking in
the more rural parts of the country is lacking and in many cases
nonexistent. It’s not uncommon to
come upon a road that isn’t marked on your map, or for street numbers and
addresses to be totally different from what you expected. It’s particularly important to
understand where you are going before you set out so you don’t get lost and end
up in an unsavoury area.
Be sure to watch
for pedestrians in the road. School
children often have long treks to and from school on foot, and sometimes wander
into the road. Additionally, many
farmers don’t bother to fence in their livestock so don’t be surprised if you
come around a bend and see a cow or goat in the middle of the street. During daylight hours this may not be an
issue, but at night, especially on roads that aren’t properly lit, it can be
extremely hazardous so drive carefully.
Crime Risks
Unfortunately, as beautiful as South Africa is, it is
also home to a host of criminal activity.
You may feel you are safe in a vehicle, but there are still certain
dangers that you may encounter that could place you in harm’s way. Here are some things to keep in mind
and a few safety tips to avoid becoming a victim while behind the wheel.
(Some advice from the locals)
Perhaps the most important rule to follow is keeping
your doors locked and windows rolled up at all times, even if you’re in an area
that you feel is safe.
It’s not
uncommon for thieves to wait near intersections and on highway off ramps, approach
a car when it stops and attempt to rob the occupants. Keep your valuables out of sight to avoid attracting the attention
of would-be thieves.
(Is that a warning for motorists or advice for would-be thieves?)
Carjacking is an issue, particularly in more isolated
areas and on secondary roads in Northern KwaZulu Natal and Zululand. The roads leading into and out of
Kruger Park are also popular places for carjackers to strike. Be cautious of any debris you see in
the road. It may have been placed
there purposely by a criminal in an attempt to get vehicles to stop. Never get out of your vehicle to clear anything
from the road, just do your best to drive around it.
It may go without saying, but never stop to pick up
hitchhikers. No matter how lost or
pitiful they may appear, chances are their intentions are not good. It’s not worth the risk. If you see someone thumbing for a ride
and feel they are in trouble or need assistance, your best bet is to stop when
you get to the next town and report the situation to authorities.
When parking your vehicle, always keep it locked with
the windows rolled up and all valuables completely out of sight. Whenever possible, use a parking garage
or store parking lot. You will
likely have to pay a nominal fee, however these places are usually safeguarded
and feature security staff to help maintain your vehicle’s safety. If there are no facilities like this
around, select a busy and well-lit area to park.
If your vehicle happens to break down or your tire
goes flat, pull over as far as possible and put on your emergency lights. Remain in your vehicle at all times,
with the doors locked and windows up.
Most rental car companies offer road-side assistance, so call them if
available.
If you’ve been in a collision
or are hurt, call the police, but do not get out of your vehicle. Some crafty scam artists have been
known to deliberately cause accidents with the intention of robbing the victim
once they pull over. If it was a
legitimate crash, the police will be able to assist in sorting it all out
safely.
If you see another motorist who has broken down on the
side of the road, no matter how much of a Good Samaritan you may be, do not
stop to help. Either have a
passenger call the police or stop in the next town to advise an authority of
someone needing assistance.
Scams are common in South African. One scam pulled on unsuspecting drivers
involves criminals posing as the traffic police, pulling someone over for a
supposed traffic violation and then demanding an on-the-spot fine. Take note: there is no such thing. If you get pulled over and asked to pay
a fine, simply refuse.
The larger cities and towns have their share of crimes
involving drivers. While stopped
at a traffic light, remain alert at all times. Keep an eye on your mirrors for anyone approaching. People may attempt to sell you
something; however it’s advised that you don’t buy merchandise under these
conditions (no matter how tempting the price may be).
Be especially aware of folks who come up and immediately
begin washing your window. If you
don’t intend to give them money, you need to stop them immediately or the
situation could turn ugly. There
have been reports of verbal abuse and even damage to vehicles. This practice is actually illegal and
if you allow it to happen, you could be considered just as guilty as the person
committing the offense and held accountable by law enforcement.
Getting around South Africa can be a challenge, given
its massive size. One of the best
ways to see the country is by renting a vehicle, but as with any driving
adventure, doing so does not come without risk. As long as you are prepared and know what to expect, as well
as what areas and situations to avoid, your road journey is much more likely to
be safe and uneventful.
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