This country’s roads are among the busiest in Africa, connecting cities, towns, and rural areas in a vast network. However, with increasing traffic congestion, poor road conditions, and concerning levels of reckless driving, understanding traffic laws is important for every commuter.
Many basic road laws often get ignored. So, let’s take a refresh so our roads become a little safer:
Top 10 Essential Traffic Laws in South Africa
- Keep Left, Pass Right
People of Mzansi, it seems some people have forgotten! You must always keep to the left side of the road. The right lane on the roads is for overtaking. Failure to move back into the left lane after passing can cause congestion. - Is It My Turn To Go?
At traffic circles, the rule is simple: vehicles approaching from the right always have the right of way. You may see many drivers fail to yield properly, leading to unnecessary accidents. When exiting, always indicate your intention with a turn signal. - Four-Way Stop Rules
When you get to the front of a four-way stop (or broken robots due to a power outage), priority is given to the vehicle that arrives first. If two or more vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle to the right goes first. Make sure you’re aware the road is clear and safe before heading your way. - Uncontrolled Intersection
At intersections with no traffic lights or stop signs, the driver coming from the right has the right of way. You may come across this in smaller towns or rural areas. - Get Off Your Phone!
You don’t need to scroll or quickly reply to an email in the car. Using your phone while driving is illegal unless you are using a hands-free device. Despite this, distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of road accidents. - Wear Your Seatbelt
While most drivers have the habit of putting on their seatbelt, many passengers–especially those in the back—ignore this rule. All occupants in a vehicle must wear seatbelts. Remember this when you’re in an Uber, if you’re driving your kids around, or even a quick drive to the shop. - Strict Alcohol Limits
The blood alcohol concentration limit in South Africa is 0.05% for regular drivers and 0.02% for professional drivers. However, any amount of alcohol can impair your judgement, so the accidentANGELS team urges everyone to best avoid it altogether if they plan to drive. - Sticking to the Speed Limit
The speed limits vary depending on the road type. - Switch It On
Headlights should be turned on from sunset to sunrise and in poor visibility conditions like heavy rain or fog. Not using headlights properly can make your car difficult to see, increasing the risk of an accident. - Pedestrian Right of Way
Pedestrians have the right of way at marked crosswalks (zebra crossings). However, our country still has one of the highest pedestrian fatality rates in the world. As a driver, be vigilant near schools and public transport stops.
Will the New Speed Limits Help Curb Accidents?
To enhance road safety, there has been talk of South Africa introducing new speed limits that will impact urban and highway driving. These include: Reducing the 60km/h speed limit to 50km/h, 100km/h to 80km/h, and 120km/h to 100km/h on highways.
The question is, will this help reduce accident severity and give drivers more reaction time in certain situations? Or does it have to do with the enforcement issue itself? Let us know on our socials what you think!
Stay Safe and Informed on the Road
By following these rules, we can all contribute to safer and more responsible driving. You can read up on more road rules here. Remember, with accidentANGELS, you can also prioritise private hospital care in case you are badly injured after a road accident – all for ONLY R149pm. Check out affordable plans here.
