The news that Cape Town has some of the worst traffic in world has spread across South Africa and citizens are not surprised. Cape Town already had a reputation for heavy congestion particularly going into the city. Now, the 2024 INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard concurs listing Cape Town as the seventh most congested city.
The scorecard says that citizens lost an average of 94 hours of time in traffic in 2024. The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says: “The situation is not much better for the rest of the country. Residents in Johannesburg and Pretoria lose 55 and 45 hours respectively. Durban (35 hours) and Pietermaritzburg (33 hours) complete South Africa’s top five cities with the worst traffic.
“Hours spent in traffic increased in Cape Town by 11 hours despite the City’s R444 million plan to reduce traffic congestion between 2024 and 2027. As we enter 2025 and employees return from year end breaks and schools and universities start again, many drivers may notice the drastic change to congestion, even on suburban roads.”
Additionally, as more organisations abandon hybrid working models, it will likely only worsen or at least not see improvement anytime soon. “As a result, drivers should prepare themselves for this shift and be ready to handle gridlocked roads irrespective of what the future holds for the traffic situation in South Africa,” says Herbert.
Use these steps as your traffic aid as we head into the new year:
- Listen to traffic broadcasts and avoid routes where there are problems.
- In bumper-to-bumper traffic, in particular, maintain a safe following distance.
- Always avoid distracted driving irrespective of your speed.
- If you see reckless drivers, give them extra space and put distance between yourselves.
- Find ways to remain relaxed in traffic such as listening to calming music.
- Make a conscious effort to remain calm even when other drivers frustrate you.
- Try out different routes to find the best traffic conditions.
- Do not pressure nervous drivers.
- Make lane changes early to avoid last minute maneuverers.
- Leave earlier and give yourself extra time to avoid rushing.
- If there are others that live in the same area as yourself, consider carpooling if your vehicle insurance allows for this.
- In school zones do not speed – stay at 30km/h or below.
- Look out for children who may run into the road including watching vehicles on both sides of the road where children may be exiting.
- Stop for buses and other school transport.
- Do not overtake in a school zone.
- Listen to scholar patrol’s instructions.
Follow these tips to get through any traffic congestion faced. “Whichever driving scenario you encounter, remember MasterDrive’s slogan of ‘Drive nice, it’s contagious,'” says Herbert.