Correct:
The N4 and the autobahn are sectionally comparable, especially after the recent upgrades – and not just the Gauteng portion of it either. On the N4 you can (and do) have very fast cars coming up behind you. The rules of the road impose on you a duty to move to the left ASAP to make way for fast-moving traffic.
Most South African freeways/highways are comparable to autobahns.
I have a German drivers licence (Furherschein) in addition to my SA licence. The difference is in the training and attitude of the drivers. On an autobahn you only move out of the slower lane to overtake after checking somethings not about to overtake you. Then straight back into the slower lane. You drive with one eye on your mirror. In Germany it costs at least R20 000 for the training to be able to be tested. No training no test. You will only ever ignore the Audi 5km behind you flashing his lights for you to move over once. The experience of seeing him nosediving in your mirror while braking hard behind you will keep you out of his friends way.
You will lose your licence for speeding in a residential area (Wohngebiet) where the speed limit is 30km/h. In urban areas the speed limit is 50km/h because that 5 star Euro NCAP rated car you're driving is only tested to collisions at 55km/h. So the effects of collisions at 60km/h are unknown. Think again before bragging about your cars rating.
You will lose your drivers licence if you are found riding a bicycle or jaywalking while drunk because you know the traffic law. If your wife or anyone commits too many offences using a vehicle registered to you, you lose the licence.
The problem in South Africa is illegally issued licences to incompetents and a lack of knowledge of the traffic law. In the old days the law was learned by rote to obtain a learners and drivers licence. Today only has the dumbed down K53 test that teaches people how to pass an exam, not how to drive.
Allow me to demonstrate; - If you are a K53 graduate, please answer the following questions, which those of us that learned the traffic law by rote in the olden days know the answers to:
When do you use park lights? (Specifics please). When parked is incorrect.
When is a vehicle deemed to be parked?
When is a vehicle deemed to be stopped?
How far from a corner is it legal to stop?
Which persons may legally wheelclamp a vehicle?
Is a supermarket parking garage under private ownership subject to the road traffic act?
I agree that the present system of speed trapping in South Africa has nothing to do with road safety, more with revenue gathering. T
This thread is one of my pet subjects and I look forward to asking many more questions to show the ignorance of South African drivers regarding the Road Traffic Act.