Driving Tips in Cape Town

When it comes to driving in Cape Town, I’ve noticed that the locals could use a little assistance. As a firm believer in the saying ‘When in Rome,’ I think it’s important to adapt and understand the driving culture in any new place.

So, I’ve put together some tips and suggestions for both pedestrians and drivers. By following these, I believe we can help reduce the number of tourists and expats who find themselves paralyzed with fear, confusion, and bewilderment behind the wheel.

For Drivers:

1. Remember that traffic lights and stop signs are not optional. Please obey them.

2. It’s important to refresh your memory on the basics: red means stop, and green means go… for everyone.

Hey there! Let me share a few tips to help you become a better driver. Ready? Let’s go!

1. Take a look at your steering wheel. You see that stick on the left or right? That’s your turn signal! It’s a handy tool to let others know when you’re about to make a turn. So why not give it a whirl? It feels good to let people know before you make that epic turn, and it’s much safer too. And hey, don’t forget to indicate the direction you’re actually planning to go. That’s the ticket!

2. Taxi drivers, listen up. I know your cars have more gears than just first. Why not explore those gears and expand your horizons a bit? Trust me, it’ll make your life more exciting. Plus, it’ll help me keep my hearing intact for a little while longer. It’s a win-win! So go on, shift up and see what happens.

3. And taxi drivers, I have another message for you. Please, oh please, try to avoid making sudden stops in the middle of the road just to chat with your taxi driver buddies. It doesn’t do anyone any favors, especially the other drivers on the road. I get that it’s probably not your dream scenario, but let’s work together and keep the traffic flowing smoothly. Deal?

Now, let’s talk about driving on the motorway:

1. Look, I get it. Undertaking is allowed, but cruising along in the fast lane at 60 km/h? Come on, move over! Let’s keep that fast lane for, well, fast drivers. It’s all about keeping the flow of traffic going and making everyone’s journey a little bit more pleasant. So be a champ and shift to the right, will ya?

1. Hey, if your car is a total blast from the past – a vintage gem straight from the 70s, last seen by a mechanic in the 80s, and a patchwork of mismatched colors – maybe you should think twice about hitting the highway, let alone the fast lane.

Pedestrians

1. Listen up, folks! If there’s a sidewalk around, it’s there for a reason – use it!

2. And hey, if you decide to ignore my advice in number one, at least try not to take up the whole sidewalk with your gang of five.

3. Now, if you choose to go against both rules 1 and 2, could you do us all a favor and step to the side when vehicles pass by?

4. Oh boy, if you’ve managed to disregard rules 1, 2, and 3, I might be on the verge of losing it. But hey, could you hurry it up, please?!

5. Okay, here’s a little reminder for all you street-crossing experts out there: those zebra-striped crossings actually serve a purpose. Surprise, surprise! So, no need to give me the stink eye and wave your fists when I don’t magically stop for your invisible, self-proclaimed crossing a few meters away from the actual crossing.

6. When my car is trying to push out of a busy junction during peak time and you crawl across the road like a snail while looking me in the eye, it certainly doesn’t make me happy. So, don’t act so surprised.

7. Pedestrian lights are there for your safety, so be sure to pay attention to them!

8. If you happen to see a car coming down the road, it’s best to stay where you are and not try to walk out. If you absolutely must cross, try walking instead of creeping slowly. If you’re feeling energetic, you can even try jogging lightly. The opportune time to cross (considering the presence of pedestrian crossings and pedestrian lights) is when there are no cars coming, which should be obvious when you were standing in the road (because you obviously wouldn’t have been on the pavement).

Pedestrians on the Motorway (yes, this is an important category.)

1. Unless you’re a thrill seeker, it’s best to use pedestrian bridges.

Here are a couple of things I’d like to ask you. Suppose you’re crossing a motorway, and there’s a pedestrian bridge just 10 meters away. Why is it that some people choose not to use it? Is it because they prefer to cross under the shade of the bridge to avoid getting too hot? Or do they think that only “sissies” use bridges?

If there’s no bridge available, or if for some reason you can’t use one, there’s another option – try finding a gap in the traffic and hurry across quickly!

Now, I must say this: crossing the road with animals like goats and donkeys, who have no sense of self-preservation, is not exactly a smart idea. But hey, I admire your determination!

These are just a few simple rules that, if we all followed, would make things so much better (and my blood pressure would thank you).

Image courtesy of tasuki on Flickr

Image courtesy of tasuki on Flickr