2.7 Freeway Driving Rules
Freeways are multi-lane highways designed for high-speed travel. They have specific rules to ensure safety and efficiency.
Entering a Freeway
You will enter a freeway via an on-ramp, which leads to an acceleration lane.
- On the Ramp: Build up speed on the on-ramp to match the flow of traffic in the left-hand lane of the freeway.
- Signal: Indicate your intention to merge into the traffic.
- Acceleration Lane: Use the full length of this lane to adjust your speed to that of the vehicles on the freeway.
- Observation: Check your mirrors and your blind spot for a safe gap in the traffic.
- Merge: When it is safe, merge smoothly into the left-hand lane. Do not force your way in; traffic on the freeway has the right of way.
Driving on a Freeway
- Keep Left, Pass Right: The same rule applies. Stay in the leftmost lane unless you are overtaking.
- Speed: Obey the maximum speed limit of 120 km/h, but always adjust for traffic and weather conditions. Do not drive so slowly that you become a hazard to other vehicles.
- Following Distance: Maintain at least a two-to-three-second following distance. At high speeds, you need much more time and distance to stop.
- Prohibited Users: Pedestrians, cyclists, animal-drawn vehicles, and vehicles with engines of 50cc or less are not allowed on freeways.
- Stopping: You are not allowed to stop on a freeway. The only exception is in a designated lay-by or on the shoulder in a genuine emergency.
(Image Suggestion: A clear diagram showing an on-ramp and acceleration lane, with a car following the correct procedure to merge onto the freeway.)
Exiting a Freeway
- Plan Ahead: Know your exit in advance. Move into the leftmost lane in good time.
- Signal: Indicate your intention to exit.
- Deceleration Lane: Enter the deceleration lane (the off-ramp) and only then begin to slow down. Do not brake sharply on the freeway itself.
- Adjust Speed: Slow down to the new, lower speed limit posted for the off-ramp or the road you are joining.
Emergency Stops on a Freeway
If you have a breakdown and must stop:
- Signal and move as far onto the left-hand shoulder (the emergency lane) as possible.
- Switch on your emergency warning lights (hazards).
- Place a warning triangle on the road at least 45 metres behind your vehicle to warn approaching traffic.
- Stay in a safe place, preferably away from the vehicle and behind a safety barrier if possible. Do not attempt complex repairs on the freeway.
2.8 Night Driving & Poor Visibility Conditions
Driving in darkness, rain, or fog significantly reduces visibility and requires extra caution.
- Lights: In South Africa, it is mandatory to switch on your dipped beams (low beams) from sunset to sunrise. You must also use them when visibility is poor, such as in heavy rain or fog.
- Dipped Beams (Low Beams): Use these when following another vehicle or when meeting oncoming traffic at night to avoid dazzling other drivers.
- Main Beams (High Beams): Use these only on unlit roads when there are no other vehicles within 200 metres in front of you (either oncoming or that you are following). Remember to dip them as soon as you see another vehicle.
- Fog Lights: Use these only in conditions of severely restricted visibility like dense fog or heavy smoke. Switch them off as soon as conditions improve, as they can be dazzling to other drivers.
- Reduce Speed: Always reduce your speed in poor visibility. Your stopping distance might be further than the distance you can see ahead.
- Increase Following Distance: Double your normal following distance (to at least four seconds) in wet or foggy conditions.
(Image Suggestion: A split-screen image. One side shows a clear road in daylight. The other side shows the same road at night, with the car’s headlights illuminating the path, demonstrating the reduced field of vision.)
2.9 Seatbelt and Child Restraint Laws
Seatbelts are the single most important safety feature in a vehicle. It is a legal requirement for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt if one is fitted.
- Driver Responsibility: As the driver, you are responsible for ensuring that all passengers under the age of 14 are wearing a seatbelt or are in an appropriate child restraint.
- Child Restraints:
- An infant (a child under 3 years old) must be seated in a suitable, SABS-approved child car seat.
- It is illegal to travel with an infant on a passenger’s lap.
- It is highly recommended that all children under 1.5 metres tall use a booster seat or other appropriate restraint to ensure the seatbelt fits them correctly.
Failure to wear a seatbelt is an immediate fail on your driving test and can result in fines on the road. More importantly, it dramatically increases the risk of serious injury or death in a collision.