Safety Tip 4: Don't stop at the red light at night! Carjacking is so common in South Africa, it is now acceptable to ignore stop signs and red-light at night. Carjacking and violent crimes can commonly happen at intersections where people prey on isolated cars which stop in front of a red light at night.
Think twice before running a red traffic light because, if caught, there is the possibility of a R1 500 fine.
Red traffic lights: When driving around in South Africa at night, you can easily cross a red traffic light if there is no one in your way. You use those red lights more as give way sign. This may not be legal but for normal no one complains.
Red light. A red light means you must stop. You must stop as close as possible behind the 'Stop' line.
Traffic-actuated signals
When you activate a signal and you pull up to a stop line, then the signal box will know that you have arrived. It will change the alternate road to red and it will give you green. A lot of the signals are like that in Cape Town.
Safety Tip 4: Don't stop at the red light at night!
Carjacking is so common in South Africa, it is now acceptable to ignore stop signs and red-light at night. Carjacking and violent crimes can commonly happen at intersections where people prey on isolated cars which stop in front of a red light at night.
If the rule of thumb would be to not stop at a red light (in South Africa), traffic lights would be pointless. if there is a rule of thumb in relation to this, it's that if you are driving and you feel threatened, if running a red light will diminish the threat, it's reasonably OK to run a red light.
This is allowed only where there is a sign stating Left Turn on Red Permitted After Stopping. If there is such a sign, you can turn left before the traffic lights change to green - but only after stopping at the stop line and making sure it is safe to do so and giving way to all other vehicles and pedestrians.
Motorists. When turning left on red: turning left on a red light is only permitted at intersections where the approach has 'Left Turn on Red Permitted after Stopping' signage installed, as shown in the Left Turn on Red video. The usual road rules apply at all other intersections.
Turning right at traffic lights
If there is a safe gap in oncoming traffic, you may complete the right turn. If you're in the intersection and the oncoming traffic continues until the lights turn yellow or red, you must complete the turn on the yellow or red light.
Vehicle hijacking and robbery are common, particularly after dark and around traffic lights, junctions, petrol stations and driveways. It is common for thieves to break car windows and take valuable while cars are waiting at a junction. Criminals sometimes force a vehicle to stop so they can rob those inside.
The Green Star SA rating tool recommends that lighting levels within office spaces is kept below 400 lux, while SANS 204 recommends a lighting level of 300 lux for low risk commercial space.
Speed limits in South Africa are set the same in each province of South Africa. Highway speed limits can range from an urban low of 80 km/h to a rural high of 120 km/h. Speed limits are typically posted in increments of 20 km/h. There are also limits for trucks and occasionally minimum speed limits.
Reg 157 to 184 of the NRT Regulations compels the fitment of certain lamps i.e. Headlamps and allows the fitment of others i.e. Fog lamps and prohibits the fitment of all other lamps in Reg 185. Undervehicle lamps are not allowed at all.
Stop Sign. Skipping a stop street or stopping over the line at a stop street will cost you R2 000. Traffic offences that will get you arrested on the spot.
Traffic Light infringement notices
New Zealand Police can issue a $150 infringement notice if drivers: fail to stop at a red traffic light. fail to stop at a yellow/amber signalised traffic light if safe to do so.
Traffic lights
If you are facing a traffic light that is: red, you must stop and don't go into the intersection. yellow, you must stop unless you can't stop safely. green, you can go through the intersection if there is room for your vehicle on the other side.
The only time you get a free turn left on a red light is if you see the following sign. You must stop at the line first, though. The image below also shows that the light has turned yellow. A yellow light means you must stop if it is possible to do so.
South Australia Road Rules
When making a U-turn you must give way to all other traffic and pedestrians and not unreasonably obstruct traffic approaching from the front or behind. You must not begin a U-turn unless: you have a clear view for a sufficient distance of any approaching traffic.
Running a red light: $515.00 fine and three demerit points. Disobeying a stop or give way sign: $476.00 fine and three demerit points.
The average time to receive a speed-camera fine is about two weeks in most states, but it can take up to 28 days in NSW – and in Tasmania, you could receive one electronically in as little as four days.
Can I be fined for driving through a yellow light? Yes. If you drive through a yellow light when you could have safely stopped prior to the intersection you are liable to be fined. The penalties for doing so in Victoria include the loss of three demerit points and up to 2.5 penalty units.
Andersen says in the 2022 rankings the South African city with the worst traffic is Pretoria, where it TomTom found it takes 16 minutes to travel 10km. He says this works out to 145 hours a year in rush hour traffic, or roughly 6 days.
In large cities, avoid the central business districts at night. Never walk around any city at night, even if you are part of a group. If you need to go anywhere after dark, ask your hotel or guesthouse to order a reliable taxi for you.
Safety and Protection against Criminals
Common sense is at the order of the day when driving in South Africa anywhere at night. Always keep your doors locked and your wound up almost all the way, especially when you are nearing places to stop. Be alert, and be on the lookout for suspicious activity.