How to handle Johannesburg's busy roads in your hired car

While all of South Africa’s roads offer varying degrees of madness, Johannesburg’s roads definitely take the cake and serve up hectic driving conditions both in and out of peak hours with a side order of manic drivers. If you’re not used to these conditions then tackling them can be a daunting task. It’s best to prepare yourself for any obstacles you may face in your hired vehicle when taking to The City of Gold’s roads.

First and foremost, don’t be afraid to ask questions at the Johannesburg airport car hire services before putting your foot on the pedal. Use the time to finalize driving routes and to ask about any chaotic areas you may encounter en route. Most car hire services are happy to help where they can and are probably the most familiar with the surrounds. If you haven’t formulated a particular route yet, then this is the best time to ask for a few pointers on shortcuts – it’s better to use areas with the least amount of traffic even if they may add a bit of travel time to your adventure.

Also familiarize yourself with all the service stations en route should you need one. These stops can also be a good place to ask for directions which is why it’s equally important to keep an eye out for landmarks and other marks that can better help you describe your destination to someone in the instance that you get lost. Remember that it’s always better to pull over and check the map rather than to get flustered and stressed out in traffic.

If you do intend to pull over, remember that the emergency lane must be utilized for as short a time as possible and at all costs do not pull over onto a shoulder. Be careful when pulling back into traffic and ensure you pull off knowing exactly where you are headed. The highways of Johannesburg are filled with sure drivers who know where they are going which means they will unfortunately have little to know patience for a driver who seems to be fumbling and not driving at the required speed.

Always keep on the lookout for traffic signs and familiarize yourself with the rules of the road in certain areas and the acceptable speed in order to avoid a road-raged driver. Stay calm if you miss an exit and be aware of sudden changes in direction. It’s also wise to take in unfamiliar things in your surroundings in order to better prepare for something unexpected or out of the ordinary occurring. You can always switch on the radio to listen out for traffic reports which will help you to avoid any hectic areas or accidents.

If you equip yourself and familiarise yourself with all parts of Johannesburg roads beforehand, you’re bound to tackle the roads like a confident GP driver.