Cape Town traffic really is the worst in SA!

The school holidays are in full swing, and while you would expect traffic congestion to ease somewhat, it hasn't. Summer crowds and festive season activities are keeping the roads busier than ever.  

Traffic in general is always quite intense in the Mother City, and the plan to curb car use in the city might be needed sooner, rather than later. 

The latest data from NRIX, a tech company specialising in mobility big data solutions, shows that Cape Town ranks as the sixth-worst city in the world for traffic congestion.   

Istanbul tops the list globally, followed by Chicago, Mexico and New York City. Further analysis by data journalism publisher The Outlier reveals that Capetonians have lost a total of 96 hours sitting in traffic over the last year, significantly more than in Johannesburg (59 hours), Pretoria (48 hours), and Durban (33 hours).

The Outlier's Alistair Otter points out that there are some gaps in the data analysis from NRIX, and SA, for example, was the only African country in the study, with "too many countries missing from the study to really take that too seriously."  

What can be taken seriously, though, is road safety over the festive season, no matter how congested the roads are. 

The City of Cape Town will be looking to ramp up its roving vehicle checkpoints - checking basic vehicle safety roadside, "including tyre tread, whether brakes and lights are in working order, and if the vehicle licence is up to date." 

 
Licences and professional driving permits will also be checked. Vehicles that are questionable in terms of safety will be sent for further evaluation and have their road safety status revoked if they do not meet the standards. Owners will have to submit proof of roadworthiness before roadworthiness can be reinstated. 

 "Unfortunately the festive season is notorious for a higher death toll and we should all do what we can to make our roads safer. Along with higher traffic volumes, there is also an unfortunate increase in reckless and negligent driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol. So consider the impact that your actions could have, not just on those who are passengers in your vehicle, but also on other road users," added Alderman Smith.
 
Tips for long distance driving/travelling 

• Make sure your vehicle is roadworthy before setting off, with a spare wheel and the necessary tools on hand in case of a breakdown.
• Never drink and drive, and ensure you’re correctly licensed. Drivers transporting paying passengers must hold a valid Public Driving Permit (PrDP).
• Get adequate rest before your journey and, where possible, share the driving so you can take regular breaks.
• Plan to stop at least every two hours to stretch your legs, or pull over sooner if you start to feel tired.
• If you need to stop unexpectedly, pull over in a safe area well clear of moving traffic.