Drivers alert: Guidelines during Eskom load shedding at traffic intersections

South Africans have heard the bad news, Eskom load shedding has returned on Tuesday 2 November, the power utility has confirmed. Unfortunately, the blackouts affect our homes as much as they do road traffic.

DRIVERS GUIDE DURING LOAD SHEDDING AT TRAFFIC INTERSECTIONS

While many drivers generally know what is expected of them when the lights are off, not everyone behind the wheel makes the right decisions every time.

According to MasterDrive’s CEO Eugene Herbert, most of our fellow drivers are not always clued up or simply lack discipline.

“Many drivers, however, do not follow this rule, consequently, creating chaos at the intersections,” Herbert said.

“As you navigate intersections during load shedding keep these tips in mind to help you safely make your way through.”

DRIVER’S GUIDELINES DURING BLACKOUTS

• Slow down as you approach the intersection – even if it looks like there are no other vehicles around
• Come to a complete stop and yield way to cars that were at the intersection before you
  remember to expect flow of traffic from more than four directions
• Traffic travelling straight through the intersection from the traditional four directions
• But do not forget the drivers turning right from their current lane across the intersection into another lane
• Do not assume because it is your turn to go, that every other driver will respect this.
• Double check every lane before you go
• This is especially true for drivers turning right across the intersection, other drivers tend to pay less attention to this lane
• If you do start to go but see another driver coming or about to cross the intersection at the same time, rather let the other driver go than persist on your course and either have a collision or a road rage incident
• If there is a driver that does not stop and continues through the intersection irrespective of whether they are supposed to go yet or not, again, rather let them cross than get into an altercation or get frustrated with them
  Do not forget pedestrians likely have to cross intersections too and have as much right to do so as safely as what a car does
  Watch out for drivers that skip the traffic by driving on the left shoulder or over yellow lines as they will eventually need to move back into the road
• The most important tip: check, double check and check again before you move and even while you are crossing the intersection.

While we have to endure further Eskom load shedding until the foreseeable future, Herbert urged the driver’s patience and courteous behaviour behind the wheel.

“Loadshedding will upset your drive and preparation is key to emerge from it as safely as possible,” he concluded.