The Primary Rule of the Road is:
Keep Left, Pass Right
Overtaking
You may pass vehicles ahead of you only if:
- A traffic sign or traffic road marking does not prohibit overtaking and only if overtaking it is safe to do so.
- The driver ahead of you indicates that he is going to turn right, and you have enough room to pass on the left.
- You are travelling down a one-way street, which is wide enough for two or more vehicles to travel next to each other, whether or not lanes have been painted on the road surface.
When overtaking, you must:
- Indicate your intention to overtake before you change lanes by using indicators or hand signals.
- After overtaking, indicate that you intend to move back to the lane in which you were originally travelling.
When you are overtaking stationary vehicles, especially buses, you must:
- Slow down.
- Keep a sharp lookout for passengers embarking or disembarking from the vehicles.
- Keep a sharp lookout for pedestrians and children.
When being overtaken:
- You must keep as far left as possible.
- Do not accelerate.
- On a multi-lane road, you must move to the left-hand lane when the driver behind you indicates his intention of passing you.
No overtaking:
- On the left shoulder of the road.
- A vehicle that has come to a dead stop at a pedestrian crossing or a scholar patrol.
- A vehicle that is slowing down at a YIELD sign.
- A vehicle that is slowing down when approaching a hill or a blind rise.
- In a curve or turn, except where the road is wide enough to allow safe overtaking.
- If overtaking can create a danger to any oncoming traffic or the vehicle that is being overtaken.
- If overtaking can create a danger to any pedestrians.
The following distance
- One must keep at a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you.
- This distance should be enough to be able to bring your car to a complete stop should the vehicle in front of you make an emergency stop.
- A safe distance will depend on the speed at which you are travelling.
- At all times travel at least with a 2-second time delay behind the vehicle ahead of you or keep a distance of three cars behind the vehicle in front of you.
Children
- The driver of a motor vehicle shall ensure that a child is seated on a seat.
- Where it is available, use an appropriate child restraint; or if no child restraint is available, wears a seatbelt when available.
- If a seat, equipped with a seatbelt, is not available, the driver shall ensure that a child shall, if such motor vehicle is equipped with a rear seat, be seated on the rear seat.
- It is not compulsory to wear a seatbelt while reversing or moving in or out of a parking bay or area.
- The driver of a motor vehicle shall ensure that all persons travelling in such motor vehicle wear a seatbelt.
Seatbelts
- Seatbelts are compulsory for children and adults. Persons 3 years of age and younger must be seated in a weight appropriate car seat
- If seatbelts are fitted, rear-seat passengers must wear seatbelts whilst the vehicle is driven.
- A child is defined as a person between the ages of 3 and 14 years, except when such person is taller than 1.5 metres, then he or she is regarded as an adult, irrespective of age. A person older than 14 years is defined as an adult. No adult shall:
- Occupy a seat in any motor vehicle unless such person wears a seatbelt.
- Occupy a seat on a row of seats, which is not fitted with a seatbelt, unless all other seats on such row which are fitted with seatbelts are already occupied.
Emergency warning siren
The driver of a motor vehicle shall give immediate right of way to all emergency vehicles sounding a siren and displaying emergency warning lights.
Cell Phones
No person shall drive a vehicle on a public road while holding a cellular or mobile telephone or any other communication device in one or both hands or with any other part of the body.
Prohibition on Driving on Shoulder of the Road, Except in Certain Circumstances
No person shall drive a light motor vehicle on the shoulder of a public road during the period between sunrise and sunset. Such a vehicle may be driven on the shoulder of a public road which is designated for one lane of traffic in each direction while such vehicle is being overtaken by another vehicle; and;
- if he or she can do so without endangering himself or herself, other traffic, pedestrians or property on such public road; e.g.
- when you have a flat tyre.
- if persons and vehicles upon such public road are clearly discernible at a distance of at least 150 metres.
Accidents
Any driver/rider of a motor vehicle involved in an accident or who contributes to an accident must –
- immediately stop his/her vehicle;
- ascertain the nature and extent of any injuries;
- render such assistance to an injured person as he/she may be capable of rendering;
- ascertain the nature and extent of any damage sustained;
- if required to do so by any person having reasonable grounds to request it, give his/her name and address, name and address of the owner of the vehicle driven by him/her, and the registration number of the vehicle;
- the driver or owner of a vehicle, which was damaged in a collision/accident, must give permission before such a vehicle can be removed from the scene of an accident/collision.
Pedestrians Crossing Road
The driver of a vehicle must yield right of way, slow down or stop if necessary, to yield right of way to a pedestrian crossing a roadway within a pedestrian crossing.
Whenever any vehicle has stopped at a pedestrian crossing, the driver/rider of any other vehicle may not pass the stop line or traffic light.
The ‘red man’ light signal shows pedestrians that they may not cross the road at an intersection until the green man light signal is displayed. The pedestrians must remain stationary on the sidewalk until a ‘green man’ light signal is displayed. If red man light signal flashes, pedestrians who have not entered the roadway must wait until a ‘green man’ light signal is displayed. Pedestrians who are already in the intersection must cross the intersection as quickly as possible.
Driving While Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Drugs
No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a public road while the concentration of alcohol in a person’s body is:
- 0,05 grams per 100ml of blood or more, and;
- 0,02 grams per 100ml of blood or more in the case of a professional driver.
No person shall:
- drive a vehicle on a public road; or
- occupy the driver’s seat of a motor vehicle of which the engine is running, while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a drug having a narcotic effect.
Inconsiderate Driving
No person shall drive a vehicle on a public road without reasonable consideration for any other person using the road.
Speed Limits
- A general speed limit is applicable on all roads and does not have to be displayed by a road traffic sign.
- Unless otherwise indicated by a road traffic sign, a speed limit of:
- 60 kilometres per hour shall apply in respect of every public road situated within an urban area;
- 100 kilometres per hour shall apply in respect of every public road other than a freeway, situated outside an urban area; and
- 120 kilometres per hour shall apply in respect of every freeway.
- Exceeding the speed limit is an offence.
Speed limit in respect of passenger vehicles conveying persons for reward.
A speed limit of 100 kilometres per hour shall apply in respect of: Bus, taxi and minibus.
Pedestrian Crossing Lines and Block Pedestrian Crossing
| Where: | On any road, especially in urban areas, at intersections and close to schools. |
|---|---|
| Purpose: | To inform you that priority must be given to pedestrians crossing or wanting to cross the road at these places. |
| Action: | Look out for any pedestrians crossing or wanting to cross the road and give them priority by slowing down or stopping. |
No Overtaking
| Where: | On any road that carries two-way traffic (traffic from opposite directions). |
|---|---|
| Purpose: | To inform that it is prohibited to drive with any part of your vehicle on the right-hand side of this line. |
| Action: | Do not cross the line, except to gain direct access to an entrance on the other side of the line, to gain direct access from such an entrance to the road or to pass a stationary obstruction. In all these cases you must ensure that it is safe to do so. |
No Crossing Lines
| Where: | On any road with two-way traffic. |
|---|---|
| Purpose: | To inform you that you may not cross this line. |
| Action: | You may under no circumstances drive on the right-hand side or cross these lines with any part of your vehicle, except to drive around a stationary vehicle or stationary obstruction in the road. |
Traffic Circle Mandatory Arrows
| Where: | At traffic circles and mini-circles. |
|---|---|
| Purpose: | To indicate the direction you must follow around the circle or mini-circle. |
| Action: | Only drive around the circle in the direction indicated by the arrows. Yield to traffic coming from your right-hand side. At a mini-circle yield to traffic that reaches their yield line first before you reach yours. Drive slowly so that you can stop if someone does not yield. |
Crossroads
| Where: | On any road. |
|---|---|
| Purpose: | To warn that a hazard in the form of a crossroad is ahead. |
| Action: | Approach cautiously, look carefully and you must be able to stop if cross-traffic requires it. The broad black line indicates which vehicle has priority. Traffic on the minor road must give way. |
Traffic Signals
| Where: | Where traffic density can be better controlled by traffic lights at intersections, junctions, pedestrian crossings, etc. |
|---|---|
| Purpose: | To regulate traffic coming from different directions. |
| Action: | These lights must always be obeyed in the following manner: |
Red light illuminated
Slow down and bring the vehicle to complete stop. The front end of the vehicle must be directly behind the stop line painted on the road.
Yellow (Amber) light illuminated
Slow down and bring the vehicle to complete stop. The front end of the vehicle must be directly behind the traffic line painted on the road.
Green light illuminated
You may proceed if it is safe to do so. At the robots, be on the lookout for pedestrians and vehicles.
Flashing red arrow to the left
After stopping, the driver may turn if there is no traffic. Remember to yield to pedestrian traffic and oncoming traffic that wants to turn right, and traffic from the right passing through the intersection.
Flashing green arrows
Right of way in the direction of the flashing arrow.
Constant green arrow
Shows the direction in which traffic must go, for example, one-way streets.
Red man light illuminated
Pedestrians are not allowed to cross the road when this man is illuminated. They must wait for the green man before they can proceed.
T-Junction
| Where: | On any road before you reach the place where two roads meet. |
|---|---|
| Purpose: | To warn that you are approaching an intersection where you have to turn sharp to the right or left. |
| Action: | Look out for cross-traffic. Slow down and be prepared to stop and go round the corner at a safe speed. Be on the lookout for Stop, Yield Signs or Robots. |
Side Road Junction
| Where: | On any road before you reach the place where another road joins your road from the left or from the right. |
|---|---|
| Purpose: | To warn that traffic may be approaching you from the left/right side. |
| Action: | Slow down so that you will be able to stop or go around the corner or pass the intersection at a safe speed. Look out for other traffic at the intersection that might not yield. |
Winding Road
| Where: | On any public road especially in mountainous areas. |
|---|---|
| Purpose: | To warn of a series of curves ahead. |
| Action: | Slow down enough to take the curves safely or stop within the distance you can see. Remember that there could be any number of curves after the first one without further warning. |
Pedestrian Crossing
| Where: | On any road especially in rural areas. |
|---|---|
| Purpose: | To warn that there is a demarcated pedestrian crossing ahead. |
| Action: | Slow down and stop if a pedestrian is waiting at the crossing. Do not overtake other vehicles that have stopped at the pedestrian crossing. |
Children Crossing
| Where: | On any road. Especially near schools, playgrounds and sports fields. |
|---|---|
| Purpose: | To warn that children might be crossing the road. |
| Action: | Slow down immediately and look out for children who could be crossing the road unexpectedly. Also be on the lookout for children playing on the road. |
Yield to Pedestrians
| Where: | At intersections railway crossings and pedestrian crossings. |
|---|---|
| Purpose: | To compel you to give priority to pedestrians crossing the road or wanting to cross the road. |
| Action: | If other traffic is approaching the intersection, reduce speed and if necessary, stop. Look out for pedestrians crossing the road or near the road and be ready to stop |
No Entry
| Where: | Usually found at the end of a one-way street, at the end of an off-ramp or at intersections where 2-way traffic roads change to 1-way traffic. |
|---|---|
| Purpose: | To indicate that no traffic may proceed past the sign on the road, carriageway or lane. |
| Action: | Do not enter the carriageway where this sign is displayed. |
Traffic Control Stop – Symbolic Sign
| Where: | On any road before an intersection with a stop sign. |
|---|---|
| Purpose: | To warn that there is a stop sign ahead, which cant be seen in time. |
| Action: | Slow down in good time and be ready to stop. |
Scholar Patrol Ahead
| Where: | On any road near schools. |
|---|---|
| Purpose: | Indicate that there is a scholar patrol operating ahead. |
| Action: | Slow down and look out for a stop sign displayed by the scholar patrol. Look out at all times for children who may suddenly cross the road. |
3-Way or 4-Way Stop
| Where: | At intersections. |
|---|---|
| Purpose: | To bring traffic from all 4 directions to a stop. |
| Action: | Bring your vehicle to a standstill behind the stop line.
|
U-Turn Prohibited
| Where: | Stop on a public road. Before or on the far side of an intersection. |
|---|---|
| Purpose: | To vehicles from turning around so that it faces the opposite direction. |
| Action: | Do not turn your vehicle around so that it faces the opposite direction. |
Parking Prohibited
| Where: | On a public road where the road is narrow, near an intersection or where a parked vehicle can impair the vision of other drivers. |
|---|---|
| Purpose: | To prohibit drivers from parking during any time of the day or night. |
| Action: | Do not park where these signs are displayed. |
Single-Carriageway Freeway
| Where: | At the beginning of a single-carriageway freeway. |
|---|---|
| Purpose: | To indicate that a single-carriageway freeway begins at the sign and that all rules that apply to freeways are effective from here. |
| Action: | Follow all the rules which apply to freeways. |