Priority roadSouth Africa
Traffic rules
South Africa
1. Priority road
A priority road is a road whose traffic is given priority over traffic entering from intersecting roads. It is normally identified by a priority-road sign, while an end sign indicates where that continuing priority status stops.
Drivers on a priority road must still obey traffic lights, authorised officers, speed limits, crossings and turning rules. Having priority never allows a driver to proceed when doing so would create danger or block an intersection.
How does priority-road status work in South Africa?
South African guidance determines priority through signs such as Stop and Yield and the applicable junction rules. Do not assume a foreign priority-road symbol or a road’s size creates a right of way through every junction.
🔗 transport.gov.za • South Africa, Department of Transport, SARTSM — priority-road
Start of a priority road.
English • IN7 • Right of way at the junction ahead. Traffic on the road you are following has right of way at the junction ahead. This sign is not a blanket priority declaration for every subsequent junction.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transport.gov.za • Department of Transport · SADC RTSM Vol. 1, chapter 5, PDF p. 12 (May 2012)
SVG source: Southern African Development Community • Public domain • Original revision 2019-07-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Does a main-road name establish permanent priority in South Africa?
No. Read the controls at the particular junction and apply the local right-of-way rules. A route number or destination sign identifies a road; it does not remove a Stop, Give Way or signal requirement, or a duty to yield when turning.
🔗 transport.gov.za • South Africa, Department of Transport, SARTSM — priority-road
Does having road priority let you ignore other controls in South Africa?
No. Obey the applicable traffic signals and authorised directions, speed limits and crossing rules. Turning or changing lanes can require yielding, and having priority never permits entering a conflict that cannot be crossed safely.
🔗 transport.gov.za • South Africa, Department of Transport, SARTSM — priority-road
