As we enter the festive season, many of us will be on the roads heading to holiday spots or visiting family and friends all over the country. A road trip gives holidaymakers the chance to thoroughly enjoy the sights of the Western Cape along its famous scenic routes.
Explore the Western Cape
The tips below will help to keep you safe.
Before your trip
- Plan your trip in advance. This will give you time to decide which routes are the safest, and to avoid roadworks, bad weather, and high accident zones. Plan regular rest-stops every 200km or 2 hours to avoid getting tired while driving.
- Consider having your car serviced by a qualified service mechanic.
- Have your lights, indicators, windscreen wipers, brakes, steering, exhaust system and tyres checked for faults and make sure your vehicle is roadworthy before departure.
- If you are on medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether your medication might make you drowsy.
- Make sure to rest properly before embarking on a long journey.
On the road
- Have your driver's licence with you at all times.
- Always make sure you and your passengers are buckled up. Here's more information on seatbelt safety.
- Always adhere to the speed limit – driving too fast or too slowly can be a potential hazard.
- Keep a safe following distance so that you have enough time to react in an emergency. Remember to increase your following distance when visibility is poor and when the road is wet.
- Drive with your lights on - this will make you more visible to other drivers.
- Dip your headlights at night well before an approaching vehicle is close. Also remember to dip your lights as you approach vehicles in front of you.
- Be courteous and patient with other road users.
- Remember that drivers may only travel in the emergency lane if they can see the road ahead is clear for 150m. Don’t expect the driver in front of you to move over just because you are in a hurry.
- Drive defensively. Don’t assume that other drivers will do what they are supposed to do.
- Only overtake when it is absolutely safe. Never overtake on a blind rise or where there is a solid white line.
- Always check your blind spot before changing lanes, even when the road seems deserted.
- Always be cautious when approaching a railway crossing. Be sure to slow down and cross only when it is safe to do so.
- Stay alert and keep an eye on what's happening around you.
- Always be prepared for emergencies. Carry an emergency kit with items that will come in handy if you're stranded on the side of the road or involved in a crash.
- Watch out for potentially dangerous drivers and pedestrians and keep well clear of them. Find out more about pedestrian safety.
- Be on the lookout for obstructions like potholes or animals which may stray into the road, especially in rural areas.
- Be cautious when driving alone and avoid stopping in remote areas.
- Be alert when you are in an area where there is a risk of criminal activities such as hijacking or smash-and-grab theft.
Things to avoid while driving
- Never drink and drive. Statistics indicate that about 50% of road deaths in South Africa are alcohol-related. The blood alcohol limit for motorists is 0.05g per 100ml of blood. Here's what you need to know about the blood/alcohol limit.
- Avoid distractions while driving. For example, never use your cellphone while driving. This will cause a lapse in your concentration, putting you and others at risk. Rather install a hands-free kit in your car. Find out more.
- Don’t drive tired. Fatigue affects your concentration and slows down your reactions. Pull over in a safe place and rest every 2 hours or 200km.
- Avoid driving when visibility is poor. It is more difficult to drive safely at night, or when the weather is bad. If you struggle to see clearly at night, rather drive during the day.
- Never disobey road signs. Pay attention to flag signals and law enforcement officer signals.
- Never leave items such as cellphones and wallets in plain sight in a parked car. Rather carry them with you, or lock them in your boot. Even if you are driving, it is safer to keep valuable items out of sight to avoid smash-and-grab theft.
Other things to take into account
We also encourage you to take the following factors into account when planning your journey to help you reach your destination safely and comfortably:
Road works
View our interactive provincial rural road map for information about road conditions and road projects.
Check your licence
The law requires your car to be licensed every year. It's your duty as the owner of the car to make sure that your vehicle licence is renewed before it expires.
If the licence isn't renewed you are liable to pay late licensing penalties and arrears. There's a grace period of 21 days after the expiry date of the car's licence to renew the licence without incurring penalties and arrears.
- Read more about renewing your licence.
Don't drink and drive
Alcohol is damaging our society, visit SafelyHome for more information, and on Twitter @WCGSafelyHome under the hashtag #BoozeFreeRoads.
For more road safety tips visit the Safely Home website.
Where do I report bad driving?
- Safely Home Reporter
- National traffic call centre number: 0861 400 800
Emergency numbers
- Police Flying Squad: 10111
- Ambulance: 10177
- Crime Stop: 08600 10111
- Cellphone Emergency: 112 (MTN, Vodacom and Cell C)
- ER24: 084 124
Emergency information and numbers are also available at ArriveAlive.mobi.
Watch
Crashes happen when you least expect them, so always wear your seatbelt, keep your tyres properly inflated and drive at a safe following distance. And remember, drinking and driving is illegal and dangerous. It could put you behind bars or in a hospital this festive season.
December 2022 road safety management activities
Freight transport driver awareness
Where: Rawsonville
When: 1 December 2022
Contact:
Jennifer Solomons/ Christal Nyman
Tel: 021 483 6975
Driver awareness
Festive season operations
Where: Klawer
When: 1 December 2022
Contact:
Lizel Plaatjies/ Piwokuhle Zitshu
Tel: 021 483 8706
Driver awareness
Public transport intervention
Where: Piketberg
When: 1 December 2022
Contact:
Lizel Plaatjies
Tel: 021 483 8706
Public transport intervention
Where: Garden Route
When: 2 December 2022
Contact:
Lulamile Lukata
Tel: 044 8059100
Public transport intervention
Where: Knysna
When: 5 December 2022
Contact:
Lulamile Lukata
Tel: 044 8059100
Driver awareness
Public transport intervention
Where: Plettenberg Bay
When: 7 December 2022
Contact:
Lulamile Lukata
Tel: 044 8059100
Conducting public transport intervention (driver, passenger and pedestrian safety)
Where: Lwandle
When: 7 December 2022
Contact:
Nontsikelelo Ngqabuko
Tel: 021 483 6976
Pedestrian intervention
Road safety talk
Where: Khayelitsha
Date: 8 December 2022
Contact:
Nontsikelelo Ngqabuko
Tel: 021 483 6976
Pedestrian intervention
Road safety talk
Where: Vanrhynsdorp
Date: 8 December 2022
Contact:
Lizel Plaatjies
Tel: 021 483 8706
Pedestrian intervention
Road safety talk
Where: Vanrhynsdorp
Date: 8 December 2022
Contact:
Lizel Plaatjies
Tel: 021 483 8706
Public transport intervention (driver, passenger and pedestrian safety)
Where: Bellville
Date: 8 December 2022
Contact:
Jean C Ongansie
Tel: 021 483 5456
Driver awareness intervention
Public transport intervention (driver, passenger and pedestrian safety)
Where: Grabouw
Date: 8 December 2022
Contact:
Vuyiswa Faye
Tel: 021 483 9519