This article is aimed at anyone, local or visitor who is planning to use SA's road network during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Whether you are driving for leisure, pleasure or business, we have a few tips that will hopefully help to make your trip a safer and more enjoyable.
Finding your way
- We recommend that you have a good road map of the country at hand.
- Always ensure that you have accurate directions to your destination. The best would be to contact the establishment where you are headed and get directions from them.
If you are using a GPS, make sure that you have the correct spelling of street names or towns. With eleven official languages even locals sometimes battle with the correct spelling.
Stop to rest at least every 200 kilometres or after driving for two hours. Always stop at a filling station or safe place. Never stop at the side of the road.
Locals often refer to traffic lights as “robots”. When asking for directions, you may be surprised to get the response "turn right at the next robot..."
Filling stations are usually open 24 hours and spread along the national highways and main roads. These stations are not semanned by attendants who will assist you in filling up your fuel tank and sometimes even clean your windscreen.
Always check that the correct fuel is used to fill up the tank. For instance, not all filling stations have low sulphur diesel available and there are three types of fuel available, leaded, unleaded and ‘dual fuel’ which can be used in place of either.
Always ensure that the fuel tank is at least half full. It is quite dangerous and very inconvenient to run out of fuel.
- If you need directions it is best to stop at a petrol station and ask the attendants.
Rules of the Road / Traffic Enforcement
· Always ensure that you have your driver’s license on you when you are driving.
· Always keep to the left and pass right
· All distances, speed limits (and speedometers) are in kilometres or kilometres per hour.
· There are strict drinking and driving laws - with a maximum allowable alcohol blood content of 0.05%. Please do not share your alcoholic beverages with your driver.
· All occupants of a vehicle, front and rear, are required to wear seatbelts.
· Using mobile phones or cellular telephones while driving is illegal – use a vehicle phone attachment or hands-free kit, if you want to speak on your mobile phone.
· Always drive with your doors locked and windows wound up, especially when stopped at traffic lights.
· Don't ever stop to pick up hitchhikers.
· Do not leave anything valuable on show in your car when you leave it unattended, and always lock your car when you leave it.
· Always obey road signs and heed warning signs.
· There are no spot fines issued in South Africa. If you are issued a fine, you can pay it at the nearest police station or, even in some cases, on the internet (www.payfine.co.za). Never hand over any money to the traffic officer issuing the fine.
In Case of Emergency
South African Police Services 10111
Fire/Ambulance 10177
Emergency number from cellphone 112