Drivers and cyclists everywhere are often at odds over such matters as who has the right of way, but visiting car drivers and bicycle riders agree on one thing; Cape Town has good roads and bad drivers. Whether you will have your foot on a gas pedal, or be pushing pedals when you travel around Cape Town, there are a few things you should know. The first, of course, is that South Africans drive on the left. If you are accustomed to driving on the right, find some quiet place to practice a little before you get into major traffic. An ounce of orientation can save you many pounds of trouble.

Good Roads and Fast Freeways

Cape Town roads are good, and several fast freeways can take you across town in no time. Because the city is on a peninsula, orientation is easy. You have the Atlantic Ocean on one side, and False Bay on the other. Table Mountain provides an excellent landmark. It really is very hard to get lost. There are some wonderful routes you can take, either by car or by bike. One of the most scenic is along the Atlantic seaboard to Hout Bay and the Chapman’s Peak Drive. Another takes you around the Cape Point section of Table Mountain National Park by way of the False Bay coast.

Regulations and Driving Tips

National roads are marked with an N prefix, and provincial roads with an R prefix. During the Easter and December breaks, the highways can become unusually congested. During these times, notoriously bad driving habits are made worse by alcohol consumption, although police have been cracking down on drunk drivers. Speed limits range from 60 kph in urban areas, to 100 kph on rural roads and 120 kph on highways. Roundabouts follow the British rule of giving way to the right. Four-way-stops allow the first vehicle at the intersection to proceed first. In Cape Town traffic signals are called robots.

Drive With Caution

South Africa has one of the world’s worst records for motor vehicle accidents, so drive with caution. Keep your distance from vehicles in front. Watch out for cars coming straight at you while they are overtaking other cars. You are expected to pull over onto the paved shoulder – where there might be people walking. Cape Town has a few unwritten rules of the road all its own. For example, minibus taxi drivers assume they have the right of way at all times. They will cut you off and run traffic lights with impunity. Be very careful approaching a freeway in Cape Town. The on-ramps often lead directly into the fast lane, and most local drivers won’t slow down to let you in. Freeway signs also don’t give much warning of the off-ramps. Plan your trip, so you know where you’re going.

License, Gas, and Parking

If you’re cycling around Cape Town, your main problem is watching out for drivers who have no respect for two-wheeled vehicles. To drive a motor vehicle, you must have a valid driver’s license, printed in English. Otherwise you must obtain an International Driving Permit. Always have your license and passport with you. There are plenty of gas stations on the major highways, but they are less frequent on country roads, so fill up when you can. The best places to park in Cape Town are the multistorey parking garages. If you park on the street, you may have to pay a “car guard” not only to watch your vehicle, but to direct you in and out of the parking spot.

Author Bio: Rachel Hill is a Southern Africa Travel specialist, a company specialising in luxury, tailor-made Cape Town holidays, as well as holidays to other destinations in Southern Africa. Our experienced consultants will help you design your very own luxury holiday, and will be happy to provide you with a free quote.

Category: Travel
Keywords: Cape Town