Page 442 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

440 SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Travelling by Car compulsory in the front
and in the back. Children must
Although bus services in South Africa are fast, affordable and be properly restrained.
comprehensive, a car provides the greatest flexibility and is Speed limits are 120 km per
hour (75 mph) on motorways
the only way to visit the more remote areas. Overall, South
and major roads and 40–80 km
Africa’s road network is very good, especially those routes
per hour (25–50 mph) in towns
that are part of the N-prefixed national road system. In rural and cities. In parks and reserves,
areas, only main arteries may be tarred, but dirt roads are the speed limit is not more than
usually levelled and in good condition. Unfortunately, long 40 km per hour (25 mph).
distances and other road users constitute the major hazards. South Africa has strict drink-
driving laws. The legal blood
Along the major routes there are many service and petrol
alcohol level is 0.05 per cent
stations, and the main attractions are well signposted.
maximum, which is the
equivalent of one glass of beer
or wine. Anyone caught driving
above this limit is liable for
a hefty fine, or up to six
years’ imprisonment.
Fuel
Motor vehicles run on 97
Octane petrol, unleaded petrol
or diesel fuel, and the unit of
liquid measurement is the litre
(0.22 UK gallons or 0.264 US
gallons). Service sta tion
attendants see to refuelling and
other checks such as tyre
pressure, oil, water, and cleaning
Busy interchange of the New Road Bridge and N1 motorway in Gauteng province the front and rear windows.
Due to the vast distances
Car Rental
look for competitive rates between towns, especially in
Drivers usually need to be over across all the companies and the arid interior, it is advisable
23 years of age and have a has its own fleet of cars in Cape to refuel in good time, and to
driving licence printed in Town. Depending on the plan regular rest stops.
English with a photograph. planned itinerary, car hire
Your licence must be companies can advise on
carried in the vehicle whether a four-wheel- Parking
at all times. A credit or drive vehicle is needed. Most South African towns and
debit card is essential With prior arrangement, cities have street parking, with
to hire a car. Rates are set and for an extra fee number ed bays painted on the
per day and per required to organize tarmac or at the kerb; check for
kilometre after the Animal and rockfall the paperwork, hire signs posted on a nearby pole.
daily limit, usually warning signs cars can be taken A fee may be paid to a parking
100 km (60 miles). into South Africa’s marshal with a handheld meter.
Alternatively, drivers can neighbouring countries. There are also numerous multi-
choose an unlimited mileage storey car parks and almost all
option for long-distance trips. visitor attractions and shopping
Check the small print for Rules of the Road malls have parking. In unofficial
insurance cover. Most of the Traffic in South Africa drives parking areas such as side
international companies are on the left side of the road. streets, informal parking
represented, including Avis, Except where granted right attendants expect a tip for
Budget, Europcar and Hertz, of way by a sign or by an guarding your car when you
and some equally good local official on duty, yield to traffic leave it.
companies include First Car approaching from your right.
Rental and Tempest Car Hire. It is common courtesy to pull
All have offices at the airports over onto the hard shoulder Breakdown Services
as well as locations in the cities. to let faster traffic pass on In the event of a vehicle break-
Cars can also be arranged the right. When driving through down, pull over onto the
through fly-drive packages (see villages in rural areas, be alert extreme left if possible and
p437). Around About Cars is a for pedestrians and straying activate your hazard lights. The
national agency that is able to livestock. Seat belts are AA Emergency Road Service is