Staying Alive On South African Roads

One city does not make a country and it is important to bear this in mind. South Africa is huge and most problems are only encountered in the main city of Johannesburg and to a lesser degree in Durban and Cape Town. As for the rest of the country – you could be in America or even Australia and face the same chances of road-crime.

Johannesburg International Airport is usually the first place international travellers experience. This will be your most vulnerable time and it is important to take precautions. The best advice would be to have pre-booked a shuttle bus through your travel agent. If you do have to self drive have the hire car arranged for pickup at the airport and be very sure in advance where you need to go. 

You will need a series of map books, preferably the type showing numbered routes. CNA, the main South African bookstore sells detailed maps of towns, cities and rural areas. Although not available online at present, you will  be able to buy one at the airport. Pick up a map as soon as you can.

South African maps are detailed and the road signs are excellent. Provided you plan in advance and  stay on a numbered route you will probably not get lost. However, if you do, try not to act hesitant, or dither around at intersections, as you will increase your chances of becoming a target. Even if you are lost, try to act confident and sure of your directions. Once you are committed to a turn-off or off- ramp; it is best to turn back later rather than trying to turn around to get back into the traffic flow.

Getting lost is not a panic situation. Find someone to ask. This involves picking a Police Station or a Garage Service Station. Sales people at Shopping Malls are also handy for making your inquiry.

Never stop on the side of the road or approach pedestrians for help. Beggars and people just hanging around will populate many intersections. It is not safe to ask them anything and the general rule is not to talk to anyone who taps on your window. Keep your doors locked and the windows closed at all times when driving in the city and its suburbs.

Throughout South Africa there are large and visible signs giving mobile phone emergency numbers to call. Whilst calling on a mobile is not encouraged when driving you would be perfectly justified in calling the emergency response number if you run into trouble. Carrying a mobile phone in South Africa is almost mandatory and could very well save your life. Do not, however, leave it lying on the dash or the seat where smash and grab robbers will see it.

In the worst case scenario, where someone puts a gun to your head and demands the car, be sure to just give it to them. Do this quietly, slowly and with no sign of aggression. Let them take everything you have in the car. It is not worth resisting, trying to act the hero, or fight back. If they are carrying a gun be sure they will use it to overcome any resistance whatsoever.

Unless you are on business, you will probably be leaving the city as soon as possible and head off to those rolling hills of Zululand, or the dusty Kalahari wilderness or the lush bush of Kruger National Park. Keeping to the main toll routes will cost a bit of money but it is worth the price. Presently you will spend approximately R200 to every six hundred kilometres travelled.

Highway patrol officers are on the highways, breakdown and emergency services respond quickly and there are plenty of well-spaced one-stop shops. Look out for these on all major routes. They are usually serviced by a garage and shop with spotless toilets, automatic teller machines that take most credit cards and a restaurant.

Once you are in the smaller towns and in the wide-open spaces of rural Africa, basic common sense applies the same as anywhere else. Avoid driving at night where possible; do not pick up strangers and park in well-used public places. Try not to stop at lay byes and remote spots. Rather travel on and get to your destination.