With the low profile tyres on the S2000, driving on our S. African roads is always exciting, often surprising ... and can sometimes be fatal!

Our roads are full of potholes, as very few Government funds are being spent to maintain even major freeways. It seems we are determined to revert back to pre-Colonial chaos. Certainly the rule of law disappeared years ago.

The link below reports an incident on one of the busiest motorways in Johannesburg, and this resulted in a fatality. It happened less than 3 km from my home.

News Report

Fortunately my daily drive is a 105-series Land Cruiser, so I probably would have survived this incident, but imagine if I was in my S2000 If any of you are planning to visit SA for the FIFA 2010 world cup, be afraid, be very afraid!

 

It's more something that you have to endure than deal with. Clearly violent crime isn't being dealt with in SA

A friend of mine lives fairly close to William Nicol.

 

Horrible

 

and here's a follow-up report on the incident above ...

Follow-Up

 

Very sad indeed.

Although, having lived in Brazil for many years (which is equally dangerous to S.A), we all know that travelling at 2am on the open roads is never a good idea. After all, these are developing countries with huge social issues, one can't just behave like they were in EU or USA. Having said that, to loose one's life for a cell phone seems such an unbearable waste.

Agreed also that bullet proof 4x4s are the safest way of transport, even better with a security escort following behind as the 4x4s are highly desirable for thieves.

 

Fairly recently on a package tour through Egypt we had armed escorts down throught the desert from Port Said to Cairo.
The whole route through Port Said was isolated with armed guards on every single side road whilst they ushered the EU tourist buses through the city.
Makes the unaccustomed very uncomfortable. Never again, long live USA!

 

Car Talk

 

South Africa has, for a long while, been regarded by many as the most violent democracy in the world.

Sadly, this type of incident is nothing new.

If you want real lawlessness go to Soweto.

The police will only venture there in convoys of armoured vehicles.

And the law is enforced in a summary style, often by a bullet.

The lawlessness seems also to apply to the police in this area, which speaks for itself, containment of the problems is the only real issue.