Driving Safety: South Africa vs. United Kingdom
When exploring the roadways of South Africa and the United Kingdom, it's essential to understand the distinct regulations and practices that govern vehicle operation. From lane markings to speed limits, both nations exhibit unique driving protocols that can significantly impact road safety. This comparison highlights crucial variations, ensuring a smooth and secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| South africa | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless turning. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid White Line
south africa:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
south africa:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Left
south africa:
Allowed
united kingdom:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
south africa:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Bus Lanes: Usage
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
south africa:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south africa:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south africa:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| South africa | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common in South Africa | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
south africa:
40-60 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
south africa:
40 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
south africa:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
south africa:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
south africa:
120 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100-120 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
south africa:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
south africa:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south africa:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south africa:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| South africa | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in South Africa | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with a red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
south africa:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Warning
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| South africa | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
south africa:
Not allowed
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
south africa:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
south africa:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| South africa | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not applicable | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
south africa:
Not applicable
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
south africa:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| South africa | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| South africa | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadblocks are used frequently | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on offense | Substantial fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and additional fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
south africa:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
south africa:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Test Refusal
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
united kingdom:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| South africa | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
south africa:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Signaling: Exiting
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
united kingdom:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
south africa:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| South africa | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 10111 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call general emergency number | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
south africa:
112 or 10111
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
south africa:
Call general emergency number
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
south africa:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| South africa | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Common fine; mandatory use | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, common with road checkpoints | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
south africa:
Fines applicable
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay