Publications
Partners
Driving alone in South Africa, especially at night, poses risks and challenges for women, but there are ways to enhance your safety and confidence on the road.
To help you feel more prepared and empowered to drive at night when heading out solo or with friends, here are eight tips and tricks to keep in mind:
Plan your trip
If you’re going out alone or with friends – have a destination or venue in mind so you know your routes to there and back. Look at the navigation routes and consider which would be the safest or the best-lit for you to drive to and from your venue. When travelling far distances, share your live location with someone you trust.
Make sure you have enough juice to get you where you need to be safely
This goes for your smartphone and vehicle. Be sure to charge up your phone and that it has sufficient data or airtime for any urgent calls or check-ins you need to do – with your friends, date, or family. And it’s always best to leave with a petrol tank that’s filled with enough fuel to get you safely to and from your venue – so if your tank looks low, rather stop by a local petrol station to fill up and check your oil, water, and tyres for full peace of mind.
Ensure you do your pre-trip car checks and lock your doors
Similarly, before you jet off, check that your mirrors, windows, and lights are all in order and position to maintain unobstructed vigilance while driving at night. Keeping up to date with your car maintenance will also ensure that any technical or engineering issues are in check well before you head out each time. And, once you’re good to go, make sure to lock your doors and strap on your seatbelt for a safe drive.
Keep your valuables out of sight
To avoid the risk of a smash and grab – keep any valuable items, like your smartphone, purse, or other items out of immediate and accessible sight by keeping them under your passenger seat, in your cubby hole, or your car boot until you get to your destination. Also make sure to check that all your doors are locked after pressing the locking device to prevent vehicle jamming.
Put your trust in reliable navigation tech
With your trip planned out, use a reliable map app to navigate to your destination using the safest and most convenient route available. Maps will automatically choose the quickest route, but be sure to double-check the roads it drives to and see if that is the safest route for you to take before starting the journey.
Stay alert
With visibility lowered due to the lack of natural light and possible loadshedding in areas, it’s important to stay alert and avoid getting distracted while driving at night. Keep music at a volume level that will allow you to still hear any oncoming traffic or road noise signals and check your blind spots a few times to ensure any turns or lane switches taken are clear for you to take. You can also adjust your internal car light brightness settings to balance the amount of light you’re seeing outside vs inside and offer you the best vigilance opportunities.
Err on the side of extra caution
With visibility hindered and the risk of people taking advantage of drivers in the dark, it’s best to keep a safe distance from fellow drivers on the road. Whether you’re on the highway or at a traffic light – it’s best to keep enough distance for you to be able to manoeuvre or turn around should you notice any strange or concerning behaviour ahead of you or behind you. It’s also wise to avoid picking up any hitchhikers – especially at night.
Trust your instincts
As always, your intuition is your best guide. If you feel unsafe in a certain area or space, trust your instincts, and rather change direction or course.
To further help you drive safer at night, the leading car brand Volkswagen is offering a night driving safety course – aptly named VW Night School.
You can enrol and register in the night school curriculum to help empower you to drive safer and smarter at night and know when it’s best to take a break and stay in.
Find out more information about VW Night School here.
This post was sponsored by Volkswagen and produced by Adspace Studio.
