By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe
Nothing humbles you quite like crumbling road infrastructure when you are out driving. It’s a sharp reminder that, despite our claims of Joburg being a “world-class African city,” the reality often tells a different story. From gushing, burst water pipes on our streets, to malfunctioning traffic lights that force beggars to become de facto traffic marshals, to the potholes that now feel like permanent fixtures – it all takes its toll. Recently, I was navigating around a massive pothole in my neighbourhood, one that well-meaning residents had previously filled in, only for it to resurface with a vengeance.
Despite my caution, I scratched the rim of a test vehicle I was driving, and it stung. Beyond the material damage, it left me reflecting: how do road users keep themselves, their passengers, and others safe in conditions that are increasingly beyond their control? The reality is that even when you consider yourself a safe driver, failing infrastructure demands that you become hyper-alert, flexible, and prepared for the unexpected. Here are some of the most common dangers on our roads and how you can navigate them safely.
Loose gravel and flying particles
Construction zones, neglected repairs, and crumbling tar often leave loose stones and gravel scattered across the road. These can easily smash windscreen. A sudden
particle hitting your windscreen can be startling and momentarily throw you off your driving focus. I’ve experienced this myself in recent months, and it’s a reminder of how easily attention can slip on the road.
What to do:
Keep a safe following distance, especially behind trucks or taxis that can kick up debris. If your windscreen is struck, pull over safely and assess the damage. Small chips can often be repaired, but cracks require full replacement for your safety.
Potholes and road cavities
They’re everywhere, from inner-city streets to highways, and they can cause punctures, bent rims, or even suspension damage.
What to do:
Avoid sudden swerving, which could endanger other road users. Instead, slow down,
keep both hands on the wheel, and steer through carefully. If you hit one and get a puncture, find a safe spot to pull over and replace the tyre. Always travel with a spare tyre, jack, and wheel spanner.
Malfunctioning Traffic Lights
Load shedding and poor maintenance mean traffic lights often don’t work, leading to chaos at intersections.
What to do:
Treat every faulty traffic light as a four-way stop. Yield to the vehicle that arrived first, and when in doubt, practise patience rather than forcing your way through.
Unmarked construction zones
It’s not unusual to encounter roadworks without proper signage, especially at night.
These can involve narrowed lanes, loose sand, or sharp drop-offs.
What to do:
Drive slower than usual in areas where construction is common. Use your headlights wisely and be extra cautious after dark.
Flooded roads and burst water pipes
Gushing water from burst pipes or heavy rains can make roads slippery and unpredictable. In deeper pools, you may not even see a pothole hidden beneath.
What to do:
Never drive through water if you can’t gauge its depth. If unavoidable, drive slowly and steadily through the shallowest path, and test your brakes immediately after.
Faded or missing road markings
Poorly maintained roads often lack clear lane lines or pedestrian crossings, creating
confusion and increasing the risk of accidents.
What to do:
Use surrounding vehicles as a guide, but don’t rely on them entirely. Stay centred in your lane and avoid overtaking where markings are unclear.
Staying alert, always
While we can’t always fix the roads, we can adapt our driving. Staying alert is your best defence: Keep both hands on the wheel.
Avoid distractions – no texting, fiddling with music, or eating while driving.
Assume other drivers might make mistakes and give yourself space to react. Regularly service your car so it can withstand the extra strain of poor roads.
Driving in South Africa often means dealing with conditions beyond your control, but safe habits and a calm mindset go a long way.
At the end of the day, it’s about more than protecting your car and more about safeguarding lives, including your own.
