Avoid accidents on the roads of South Africa by being proactive and driving safely. Sounds like a good idea, but how can you really be safe on our roads nowadays? We all know to wear our seatbelts, keep to the speed limit, and obey the rules of the road. What more is there?
There are actually a lot more layers you can add to your driving journeys, and Cartrack has the best 10 lined up for you right here. Why is this important? Because from January to March 2025, a total of 2,403 fatalities were recorded on South African roads. We must work to decrease this number and be safer on our roads. Let's find out how.
Safer driving in South Africa isn’t only about following road rules. It’s also about being aware of local risks. From stray goats on rural roads to criminals posing as helpful strangers, South African drivers need a different kind of awareness.
The good news? With the right mix of alert driving habits and a little touch of technology, you can stack the odds in your favour. Let’s explore the top 10 road safety tips that can truly make a difference to your personal driving safety.
Did you know that Cartrack allows you to view a report of your OWN driving habits? Whether you’re braking harshly, exceeding the speed limit, or even driving in dangerous areas, you can get an overview of what you should work on while driving.
It's like a report card for drivers! So you can use it for yourself to cultivate safer driving habits, or use it for your kids, friends, aged family members, or employees to check up on whether they’re keeping safe on the roads.
No, we don’t have lions roaming around in the streets of South Africa. However, we do have livestock that tend to NOT know the difference between a grazing field and a tar road. This is often prevalent in rural areas, or any area where there are plenty of farms.
Goats, cows, sheep, and even horses might cross your path from time to time, so look out, and drive slower in these places. This is still Africa, afterall.
There’s an unspoken language between drivers in South Africa. As you learn to drive, you quickly pick up what certain gestures mean. For example, a waving hand gesture at a stop or traffic circle, means “You go ahead of me, I’ll wait.”
If you’re heading down a road in the middle of the day and someone driving towards you flashes their lights, it could mean you need to check something on your car. It could also mean that there’s an accident ahead, or a police roadblock, or even a speed camera.
There are a bunch more subtle hand gestures you should familiarise yourself with if you’re frequently on the roads of SA. If you’re a passenger who uses taxis, you’ll definitely want to learn what hand gestures mean in terms of which taxis to stop and where they’ll take you.
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Not every person on the side of the road is there to help you. Hijackers and petty thieves often pretend to be helpful strangers to get close enough to steal something from you or your car. If you need help, it’s best to call a roadside assistance service you can trust rather than take your chances with someone who has bad intentions.
Criminals do their research before they make their move. It can sometimes take them days or even weeks of watching your movements before they finally make their move. But if your routine is mixed up, they don’t always know what to expect.
We all love getting into a routine, but don’t always leave at the same time on the same day of the week. If you mix up your driving schedule once in a while, criminals will be less likely to target you, because they aren’t sure what to expect.
Defensive driving tips can save your life and prevent road accidents in South Africa. It’s good to know what they are, so here’s a quick breakdown.
Remember, good driver behaviour not only keeps you safe, it also preserves the life of your vehicle. Learning to drive defensively is one of the best ways to stay safe on the roads of South Africa.
During heavy traffic, drivers sometimes create “extra lanes” on the shoulder. Be prepared for cars squeezing past you unexpectedly from the left.
Awareness here = fewer side-swipes!
Which brings us to another point: traffic congestion. There are certain times in different areas where you’ll always experience traffic. Knowing the times and days when traffic will be bad will help you to avoid phantom lane renegades.
What if you could share your location and status with family or friends you trust? Well, you can if you have the Cartrack GPS tracking device installed. It not only alerts your trusted contacts in case of an accident, but also allows you to monitor your vehicle’s location live. So they’ll always know where you are and if you’re safe.
This is what we mean when we talk about extra layers of safety. There’s nothing better than knowing your trusted loved ones know where you are. If something does go wrong, you’ll rest assured that they’re aware of it and are on their way to help.
If an area feels off, don’t risk stopping. Circle the block, change your route, or head to a safer, busier street. Sometimes gut instincts warn us faster than logic does, and in South Africa, we learn what areas or roads seem… offish.
Being safe also means keeping your car and your belongings safe even when you’re not around. With experience (and after a few stolen jackets and laptops), South Africans learn that deterring criminals from committing smash-and-grabs is much better than trying to catch them after the fact!
Here are a few ways you can deter criminals from breaking your door locks, windows, and doors:
Now that we’ve given you 10 tips for staying safe on the road in South Africa, let’s focus on the night time risks. Here are 5 bonus tips for safe driving at night:
Yes, telematics and driver tracking systems can help you drive safer by showing your:
This pertains more to driving safety tips for employees. They give real-time feedback so you can identify risky behaviour and improve it. Over time, this can lower accidents, keep your passengers safer, and ultimately save you on your fuel and insurance!
Here’s how that would look if you choose Cartrack as your road safety partner:
When looking for a personal driver safety tracking solution, always separate the facts from the myths.
The legal blood alcohol limit for most drivers in South Africa is 0.05 grams per 100 millilitres of blood. Learner and professional drivers have a lower limit of 0.02 grams. Driving above these limits is illegal and risky. Even a small amount of alcohol can slow your reactions and make accidents more likely.
Cellphone and GPS signals in rural areas can be hit or miss. Sometimes the signal is weak or disappears completely, which can make tracking devices or navigation unreliable. Always plan ahead, have a backup map, and don’t rely only on tech to get you safely to your destination.
Picking up hitchhikers in South Africa is not a safe idea. Roads can be remote, and crime is a real risk. Even if someone seems friendly, stopping for strangers can put you in danger. It’s better to stick to your journey and help in other safer ways if you want to assist.
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Discover 10 essential tips for safe driving in South Africa. Learn how to handle local road conditions, avoid common risks, and protect yourself and your passengers while travelling.
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