Road narrowingSouth Africa
Traffic rules
South Africa
1. Road narrowing
A road narrowing is a section where the available width of the road or carriageway becomes smaller. The narrowing may occur on both sides, on one side only, or because one or more traffic lanes end.
Drivers should reduce speed, observe approaching and adjacent traffic, maintain sufficient lateral clearance and merge when necessary. Warning signs do not always determine priority, so drivers must follow any priority signs, lane markings and local traffic rules.
What does a road-narrowing warning mean in South Africa?
South African warning signs identify narrowing roadways and bridges. They describe the hazard; regulatory signs, signals and the rules for safe meeting determine how to pass through.
🔗 transport.gov.za • South Africa, Department of Transport, SARTSM — road-narrowing
Does a narrowing warning give you priority in South Africa?
No. A warning describes the reduced width, rather than allocating priority or setting a numerical speed limit. Follow any separate priority signs, signals and meeting rules, and slow enough to pass safely or wait before entering.
🔗 transport.gov.za • South Africa, Department of Transport, SARTSM — road-narrowing
What should you do if traffic lanes merge at a narrowing in South Africa?
Read the lane-ending signs and markings, check surrounding traffic and signal any lane change as required. Apply the local merging rule and enter only when safe. Do not assume the driver in an ending lane always has priority, or confuse merging with meeting oncoming traffic.
🔗 transport.gov.za • South Africa, Department of Transport, SARTSM — road-narrowing
