Essential TIPS for driving on the highway in SA this holiday
Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has advised motorists to exercise caution when driving on the highway this festive season.
With travellers expected to start making it back from their holiday destinations this week, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has advised motorists to exercise extreme caution when driving on the highway.
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The South African Weather Services SAWS has forecast rain in many parts of the country for the coming days, and the RTMC predicts highways will see an increase in traffic volumes from tomorrow. We therefore want to share some essential tips for driving on the highway in SA.
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY
When you’re driving on the highway in South Africa, no matter if it’s the N1 from Cape Town to Johannesburg, or the N3 from Durban to Johannesburg, it’s never a dull experience. But you always want to reach your destination safely.
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What makes driving so much better than flying is the natural fauna and flora you get to experience. Driving puts into perspective the vast breadth of our country and the various climates on offer. It also makes you appreciate your destination that much more when you arrive safely, like you’ve earned it.
BE PREPARED
If your car doesn’t have a satellite-navigation system it’s recommended you use one, whether it’s a portable device or Google Maps on your phone. Before you skrik for the data you’ll use, it doesn’t need to be on continuously, only at certain key times when driving on the highway.
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Make sure your car is in good working order. You’ve just driven to your holiday spot, so hopefully all is well. What you can do though is top-up your fluids and check your tyres and tyre pressures (including the spare incase you get a puncture).
BREAK UP STINTS
Bring along a five-litre bottle of water to keep hydrated. Packing up a holiday is a pain but try and leave as early as possible to beat the traffic and get into a good early rhythm. This way the highway won’t be choc-a-block with freight trucks and holidaymakers. Then stop regularly and quickly.
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Some portions of South Africa’s major highways are multilane or dual carriageway. However, where it turns to a single lane and you have to overtake by going into oncoming traffic, this is where you earn your keep as the driver.
OVERTAKE SAFELY
Trust us, switch on your Google Map/satellite navigation and prepare to use it as a silent navigator of sorts. Also, the road tells you all you need to know to overtake. Solid lines mean no overtaking if won’t be able to see safely over the horizon. When the solid lines end, go right ahead and overtake. Also use your navigation to see in which direction the road is flowing ahead.
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When driving on the highway in South Africa, refuelling becomes an art form so you don’t lose time and your ‘position’ on the road. Aim for key pitstops the require refuels at major locations that have good facilities. Check tyre pressures and clean windows here.
DROP AND GO
If you don’t need fuel, consider making every stop and drop-and-go situation. Keep baby wipes in the car and go for a quick splash and dash at a demarcated comfort stop to shave many minutes off your overall stop time. It’s the parking, finding a bathroom and shopping in the convenience store that chews up all your valuable time when driving on the highway in South Africa.