On the road again this holiday season? This time it’s with a difference.

This holiday season will definitely be different from what South Africans are used to. As we are still being faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, it means that holiday-goers must be aware of the regulations published during the National State of Disaster. This will include that trips must be planned to ensure that time spent on the road falls outside of the relevant curfews that may be in place during the pandemic (such as where no-one is allowed to be on the road during a certain time of day). Depending on where a person is planning to go, limitations on gatherings of people must also be considered when planning a holiday.

Apart from the new regulations that must be complied with, South Africans traveling on the road to their holiday destinations must still comply with general traffic laws in respect of road safety, such as:

>     to only drive a car that is roadworthy;

 >    the driver and all passengers must wear a seatbelt;

 >    not to overtake on a solid line and, where it is allowed, only when it is safe to do so;

>     not to use a cell phone while driving, for example, texting;

 >    not to exceed the speed limits of the road; and

>     not to drive under the influence of alcohol.

A roadblock is one of the ways used to ensure road safety and compliance with traffic laws. Drivers must be aware of their rights and duties when stopped at a roadblock and the below questions will give some clarity on what the law provides.