Driving
In South Africa we drive on the left. The maximum speed on highways is 120km/h unless otherwise specified. Within urban areas the speed limit is 40 or 60km/h. A traffic light is called a 'robot' and an intersection with a STOP sign is called a 'four-way stop' where the first person to stop is the first to go again. Often this has a number 4 below as in the figure, but not always. At these intersections everyone waits their turn.
The emergency lane on South African highways is separated from the road by a yellow solid line, in contrast to a white solid line as is the case overseas. Also in South Africa you are generally not supposed to drive on the emergency lane. However, there are some exceptions. If you see a car behind you that goes faster than you and wants to overtake you, it is then customary to temporarily drive on the emergency lane so that it can pass by easily. Often a car that wants to overtake will show you his/her intentions by flashing their bright lights whilst behind you. This is not rude, but part of South African culture. People ask simply "Mind if I overtake?" If you give them space by moving temporarily on the emergency lane, you’ll even receive a “Thank you!” The vehicle that has just overtaken you will usually switch on his emergency lights for a moment. You in turn reply by flashing your bright lights, effectively saying, “You’re welcome!”
The reverse also works, of course: If you want to overtake a truck ahead of you, flash your bright lights a couple of times. When it moves to the side onto the emergency lane, and you overtake with ease, do not forget to switch on your emergency lights for a moment, saying “Thanks!”
The emergency lane on South African highways is separated from the road by a yellow solid line, in contrast to a white solid line as is the case overseas. Also in South Africa you are generally not supposed to drive on the emergency lane. However, there are some exceptions. If you see a car behind you that goes faster than you and wants to overtake you, it is then customary to temporarily drive on the emergency lane so that it can pass by easily. Often a car that wants to overtake will show you his/her intentions by flashing their bright lights whilst behind you. This is not rude, but part of South African culture. People ask simply "Mind if I overtake?" If you give them space by moving temporarily on the emergency lane, you’ll even receive a “Thank you!” The vehicle that has just overtaken you will usually switch on his emergency lights for a moment. You in turn reply by flashing your bright lights, effectively saying, “You’re welcome!”
The reverse also works, of course: If you want to overtake a truck ahead of you, flash your bright lights a couple of times. When it moves to the side onto the emergency lane, and you overtake with ease, do not forget to switch on your emergency lights for a moment, saying “Thanks!”
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They don’t call it ‘darkest Africa’ for nothing. As you can see your visibility is limited to 40 meters ahead of your vehicle. At 50 meters, you could encounter a cow, a gas cylinder, a flat tire, a pothole or even a pedestrian. Would you be able to break in time? In short, do not drive in the dark!
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Traffic rules and reality
There is a saying in South Africa: “Lines on the road are here for decoration only!” Officially nonsense of course, but there is some truth in it! Often it is simply ‘safe’ to overtake a tractor whilst driving uphill where overtaking is prohibited. This is because the actual overtaking will last only a second or two, and you are back on your side of the road long before you have reached the top of the hill. As many cars of local people are so old they have a maximum speed of a tractor, you are likely to witness many South Africans crossing solid white lines whilst in violation of the law.
There is a saying in South Africa: “Lines on the road are here for decoration only!” Officially nonsense of course, but there is some truth in it! Often it is simply ‘safe’ to overtake a tractor whilst driving uphill where overtaking is prohibited. This is because the actual overtaking will last only a second or two, and you are back on your side of the road long before you have reached the top of the hill. As many cars of local people are so old they have a maximum speed of a tractor, you are likely to witness many South Africans crossing solid white lines whilst in violation of the law.
Police
If you do a self-drive safari, and are stopped by the police, be calm and polite. Never will you have to pay a fine on the spot in cash in South Africa (Note, in Swaziland this can happen though). If South African Traffic Police officers say that you have to pay on the spot, they are likely trying to fool you. Simply mention that you have made a contractual agreement with your travel agent and car rental company, and that they will pay the traffic fine using internet banking. This is the truth after all, although the travel agent or car rental company will off course bill you for this afterwards. So accept the fine issued, but don’t pay anything, and keep it safe. Please feel free to contact us if you need advice on how to deal with this. Often it also helps to politely tell the traffic officer that you are required to call your travel agent/car rental company to discuss the matter. In nine out of ten cases the traffic officer will gesture to you to carry on driving as if nothing ever happened. Moreover, we have clearly explained this procedure in your travel guide, so that you may refer to it if need be.
If you do a self-drive safari, and are stopped by the police, be calm and polite. Never will you have to pay a fine on the spot in cash in South Africa (Note, in Swaziland this can happen though). If South African Traffic Police officers say that you have to pay on the spot, they are likely trying to fool you. Simply mention that you have made a contractual agreement with your travel agent and car rental company, and that they will pay the traffic fine using internet banking. This is the truth after all, although the travel agent or car rental company will off course bill you for this afterwards. So accept the fine issued, but don’t pay anything, and keep it safe. Please feel free to contact us if you need advice on how to deal with this. Often it also helps to politely tell the traffic officer that you are required to call your travel agent/car rental company to discuss the matter. In nine out of ten cases the traffic officer will gesture to you to carry on driving as if nothing ever happened. Moreover, we have clearly explained this procedure in your travel guide, so that you may refer to it if need be.
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If you should want a taste of strange signs or situations in South Africa, have a look at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150680241146566.383504.509151565&type=3. It certainly makes for a good laugh!
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