This is what I have to say about Cape Town traffic
“Argggggggggggg!!!!!!!!!!!!!” There is not a single drive I do without this expression coming out of my mouth at least once. Let’s all just say it like it is, Cape Town drivers are terrible! I am Capetonian so let me be the first to say how much it irks me to admit this. But seriously, what on earth is going on?
I drive all of 8 km to and from work every day and I cannot believe the behaviour of other drivers I see on this short route. And I fear it gets worse by the day!
Also read: How to deal with SA’s heavy morning and afternoon traffic.
What is the problem? I believe it is the attitude of people. And this doesn’t only relate to driving, it relates to all aspects of life. If people changed their attitudes, everything would get better. Don’t be so arrogant on the road. You are not the only person operating a heavy machine, you are not the only person who is in a rush, you are not the only person who has had a bad day and you are certainly not the only person with wavering patience. We are all living the same struggles, some more than others. Consider every other person on the road and you will be a better driver.
As much as my dad always taught me that I need to drive as if every other person on the road is a bad driver except me, I believe some people take this to heart and genuinely believe they are better than others. You are not! Rather think of yourself as a considerate driver, a driver who is aware of his/her surroundings, and a driver who anticipates any situation.
There are rules of the road, in an ideal world, we would all follow every single one of them. But let us accept that people do not follow them. And admit to yourself that you don’t follow them all of the time either. I will admit that I don’t. Sometimes I go above the speed limit, sometimes I cross over a solid line at an offramp when I am trying to get past someone who is in the fast lane, sometimes I park in a loading zone when I am “quickly dropping something off or picking something up.”
Also read: Everything you need to know about paying traffic fines.
The bottom line is, I don’t think any of us can really claim complete innocence and of course, there are far more dangerously illegal things people do on our roads, but if we could all just consider each other more the roads would be a safer place to be.
Here are a few things that you need to STOP doing RIGHT NOW!
– If the robot is green but the traffic is backed up, DO NOT just chance it and go. You will block the intersection and cause mayhem.
– For the person behind me when I do wait till I can go, DO NOT hoot at me!
– DO NOT think your indicators are there for show. Use them, always!
– DO NOT drive up my backside, I will move over the second I can.
– DO NOT cut in line when everyone else has been waiting patiently to take the same exit
– DO NOT brake randomly because you are lost/looking for a parking/confused/missed a turn-off. Consider the people behind you.
– DO NOT take chances. Be patient. You are not only putting your own life in danger but mine as well.
– DO NOT drive so close to the car in front of you. But to the other guy, DO NOT try and fill this gap between me and the car in front of me!
– DO NOT be an idiot. Think before you do anything. Look ahead of you, not just at the car right in front of you. Be aware of your surroundings.
– And lastly, DO NOT be so arrogant! Consider your fellow road users and leave the road rage out of the car.