South Africa summary
Key facts
Official language(s)
Currency
Population
Time zone
Calling code
Drive on the
Member of the EU
English, Afrikaans + others
Rand
47,900,000
GMT + 2
27
Left
No
Local weather
Pretoria
-
Sat8° | 24° - Sun6° | 22°
- Mon7° | 20°
-
Tue6° | 19°
Speed limits
- Motorways:
- 100 – 120kmh
- Open roads:
- 120kmh (75mph); On secondary (rural) roads it is 80 -100kmh (60mph); Municipal/Urban Roads – 60kmh; Provincial Roads – between 60 – 80kmh
- Towns:
- 60kmh (35mph) unless otherwise indicated
Road Safety
-
Alcohol limit:
- 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood
-
Use of mobile phone whilst driving:
- It is illegal to use a hand held mobile phone when driving
-
Seat belts:
- Front and rear seated occupants must wear seatbelts
- It is recommended that all children are to wear seatbelts and that Infants are properly secured in a Child Safety seat
-
Traffic lights regulations:
- Red – Stop
- Amber – Slow down
- Green – Go
- Traffic Light out of order or Red light Flashing, approach as four way Stop
- Most traffic lights are regulated by camera
Costs
- Road tolls:
- There are a number of roads with tolls throughout South Africa as many of the roads have been invested in privately
- On the spot fines:
- Traffic fines for traffic violations may be paid at a Magistrate’s Court, Traffic Deptartment or nearest Police Station, where an official receipt will be issued
- If you are issued with a citation for any traffic violation, you are not required to pay over any amount of cash directly to the Officer
General motoring advice
- Rush hour in built up areas:
- Avoid peak hour traffic in most built up areas
- 0700 – 0900hrs
- 1600 – 1800hrs
- Fuel:
- Fuel stations (also called 'garages') are widespread across South Africa's cities and national roads
- Generally all “garages” are open 24hrs and accept cash as payment only
- These become more sparse as drivers travel through neighbouring countries
- Leaded and unleaded fuels are available
- Fuel prices are regulated by the government and are roughly the same price at all petrol stations
- Petrol attendants provide Service at petrol stations. Tipping is at your own discretion
- Parking advice:
- Parking must always be done with the front of the car facing in the direction of the traffic flow, on the nearside of the road