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Dead endSouth Africa

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of South Africa. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
South Africa

7. Dead end

A dead-end road is a road that does not provide a through route for some or all vehicles. It may end completely, terminate at a barrier or continue as a path that only certain road users may use.

Drivers may normally enter a dead-end road to reach homes, businesses, parking places or other destinations, but they must be prepared to turn around or leave by the same route. Signs may indicate that pedestrians or cyclists can continue beyond the point where motor traffic cannot.

Dead end
A dead end. River/flooding warning. (Biedouw River, South Africa)
Wikimedia.org • Winfried Bruenken • CC BY-SA
What does a dead-end indication mean in South Africa?

South African no-through road information must be distinguished from No entry or a vehicle prohibition. It describes where the road or indicated route ends.

🔗 transport.gov.za • South Africa, Department of Transport, SARTSM — dead-end

Can pedestrians or cyclists continue beyond a motor-traffic dead end in South Africa?

Check any pedestrian or cycle continuation and its actual controls. A motor-vehicle dead end does not necessarily end a walking route, but it does not authorise driving onto that path.

🔗 transport.gov.za • South Africa, Department of Transport, SARTSM — dead-end

Does a dead-end indication change speed or priority rules in South Africa?

The no-through information itself does not assign junction priority or a numerical speed limit. Continue to obey the actual speed, access, parking and priority controls. If you need to turn around, use a suitable lawful place, check for pedestrians and cyclists, and do not obstruct the space needed for other vehicles to turn.

🔗 transport.gov.za • South Africa, Department of Transport, SARTSM — dead-end

1 South Africa 2 Motorway 3 Speed limit 4 Pedestrian warning 5 Speed bump 6 Toll road 7 Dead end 8 Stop sign 9 Give way 10 Roundabout 11 Pedestrian crossing 12 Railway crossing 13 School area 14 Crossing animals 15 Curve 16 Wrong-way driving 17 Traffic lights 18 Traffic lights warning 19 Traffic mirror 20 Parking 21 Reversing 22 Tourist attraction 23 Dangers 24 Bus 25 Police 26 Ambulance 27 Pothole 28 Path 29 Particulates 30 Air pollution 31 Rush hour 32 Road code 33 Street gutter 34 Cargo bike 35 Forestry vehicle 36 Construction vehicle 37 Semi-trailer truck 38 Trolleybus 39 Speed pedelec 40 Delivery vehicle 41 Idling 42 Tow truck 43 Four-wheel drive 44 Bicycle 45 Motorcycle equipment 46 Rail track 47 Caravan 48 Trailer 49 Tow hitch 50 Fire truck 51 Siren 52 Convoy 53 Emergency vehicle lighting 54 Agricultural machinery 55 Electric bicycle 56 Electric vehicle 57 Pedelec 58 Quadricycle 59 Microcar 60 All-terrain vehicle 61 Van 62 Recreational vehicle 63 Scooter 64 Trikke 65 Personal mobility device 66 Skateboard 67 Segway 68 Kick scooter 69 Roller skates 70 Mailman 71 Hitchhiker 72 Toddler 73 Child 74 Disability 75 Motorail 76 km/h 77 mph 78 Speedometer 79 Ride height 80 Dirt road 81 Driving 82 Start-stop system 83 Manual transmission 84 Automatic transmission 85 Throttle 86 Tachometer 87 Steering wheel 88 Power steering 89 Visual scanning 90 Mirror 91 Fuel 92 Fuel gauge 93 Petrol 94 Diesel 95 Diesel exhaust fluid 96 Car insurance 97 First aid kit 98 Fire extinguisher 99 High-visibility clothing 100 First aid ...