Tips for driving during load shedding

Load shedding is currently at an all-time high in South Africa, causing widespread issues on the roads as traffic and street lights cease to function.

The bottlenecks caused by the lack of working lights has led to a noticeable increase in traffic at all times of the day, and there has also been an increase in the number of vehicle accidents at intersections.

This is according to MasterDrive, which has provided a series of tips on how to best cope with the adverse traffic conditions brought about by the recent spike in load shedding, which is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

How to drive during load shedding

Stage 6 load shedding was implemented this past weekend, which has since been downgraded to stage 5, meaning areas can still expect power outages in excess of six to eight hours each day.

Eugene Herbert, CEO of MasterDrive, says that the key to managing load shedding is to remain calm.

“When you let frustration rule your decisions behind the wheel, it becomes dangerous,”said Herbert.

It is recommended that you check the load shedding schedule to see when it overlaps with your daily commute. This way you can plan your route and potentially avoid areas that are being affected by the power outages.

Herbert also recommends allocating additional travel time to avoid feeling pressured while driving.

Motorists should also avoid driving on the yellow lines at all times. This can make the traffic situation more hazardous for all vehicles involved as you attempt to leave and re-enter the correct lane, and it is also likely to anger and incite other motorists.

Intersections without working traffic lights should be treated as four-way stops. However, this is not always respected by other drivers so it is advised that you look in every direction before attempting to cross.

“If another driver is displaying reckless, selfish, or any other questionable behaviour, rather ignore them and move out of their way than get upset or try to intervene,” said Herbert.

In cases involving official traffic directors, always follow their instructions and be wary of their presence on the road while attempting to navigate the intersection.