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General road safety for travellers<h2 class="sectHeading">​Our roads</h2><p>We are constantly improving the conditions of our roads and planning extensions and convergences to ease traffic. For this reason, there are a number of roads under construction at any time.</p><p>Plan ahead: find information about roads that are currently under construction and how we manage our roads and our <a href="https://www.tct.gov.za/en/network/road/" target="_blank">road network<i class="icon link-external"></i>​​</a>.</p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy light-blue bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info fastfact"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Fast fact</h4><p> There are no toll roads in Cape Town, which means that you do not have to pay extra for your journey in the city</p></div></div><h2 class="sectHeading">How to leave the city by road in an emergency </h2><p> <b>Follow these simple tips if there is an emergency and you and your family need to leave the city urgently:</b></p><ul><li>Use your bicycle if you have one.</li><li>Rather park your car and use public transport – buses have their own lanes and should move more quickly through traffic.</li><li>The main roads and freeways are likely to be busy; use as many back roads as possible.</li><li>Do not drive on the yellow line on the shoulder of the road – this is meant for emergency vehicles only.</li><li>Consider that walking may be a quicker option than using your car in heavy traffic.</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Tips for driving in an emergency</h2><p> <b>Here are some tips for how to drive safely if you find yourself in an emergency:</b></p><ul><li>If the throttle is stuck or your engine suddenly accelerates, put the car in neutral; if that doesn’t work, turn the ignition off.</li><li>If you need to brake suddenly, stomp on the pedal repeatedly as hard as you can.</li><li>Always try to brake in a straight line, get your wheels straight and line up your vehicle so that it can go straight ahead when you brake.</li><li>Do not brake when your vehicle is turning, because you could spin out.</li><li>If you skid and need to recover, turn your wheel to correct your direction and make sure your wheels are straight.</li><li>If you have a choice between braking and steering (such as if you have an obstacle in your way) choose to steer: you can steer around the obstacle in a shorter distance than it takes to break in front of it.</li><li>When you skid, always shift to neutral or declutch.</li><li>In all emergencies, go into neutral or declutch.</li><li>If you have to drive somewhere in an emergency (such as to the hospital) put your hazard lights on, letting other cars know to move out of your way.</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Flooded roads</h2><p>Winter storms in Cape Town can be a hard reality for many drivers – accidents happen more easily and traffic can be extremely heavy.</p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p>To report or complain about flooded roads, chemical or other spills, or other stormwater matters, contact our call centre on <em> <a>0860 103 089</a></em>. You can also contact the Disaster Risk Management Centre on <em> <a>080 911 4357</a></em> or <em><a href="mailto:email%20water@capetown.gov.za">email water@capetown.gov.za</a></em> </p></div></div><h2 class="sectHeading">Transportation of dangerous goods</h2><p>You are not allowed to operate a vehicle transporting dangerous goods, unless your vehicle complies with certain specifications of design, construction, testing, approval, and maintenance of the vehicle and the portable tank have been met. For more information, please see <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/commercial-health-and-safety/environmental-health/transportation-of-dangerous-goods">Transportation of dangerous goods</a>. </p><p>Vehicles transporting dangerous goods must have a placard stating that they are fit to transport dangerous goods, and the driver must have a professional driving permit (PDP).</p><div class="notification with-heading white-copy yellow bg-darker-grey"><div class="graphic">​ <i class="info citycard">​​</i></div><div class="desc"><h4>City Connect</h4><p> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Licences-and-permits/Driving-and-vehicles/Apply-for-a-professional-driving-permit">Apply for a professional driving permit</a></p></div></div>GP0|#d8b81b00-c86e-4e5b-aebf-98387afccdb0;L0|#0d8b81b00-c86e-4e5b-aebf-98387afccdb0|General road and traffic safety for travelers;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#0a4bd5be-45ba-4f29-9467-09eaac3d8884;GPP|#bdeab521-3d99-4e61-8a9d-b298f4037b2a;GPP|#c529c1ac-1f8d-48ae-8079-d34f4dae9c57;GP0|#8bf8985e-8a79-45de-9e5c-abcc337f28c0;L0|#08bf8985e-8a79-45de-9e5c-abcc337f28c0|General road safety for travelers;GPP|#14f28a8e-0a68-42b1-8871-7e8fd66a3283;GPP|#14a3ee0b-b641-42d6-9511-506df3d1bdc9Find out how the City regulates unusual road use, and how to use the roads during an emergency.

 

 

 

 

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