Life seems quite 'normal' in the area that we live. There are however some notable differences we thought we should share with you in relation to traffic. Specifically:
- Jen always stores her handbag in the boot. Leaving any valuable items visible in the car increases the risk of a 'smash & grab' instance (whereby a bystander at an intersection smashes the passenger seat window and steals visible objects);
- car doors are always locked and you need to subconsciously be alert at all times of surroundings (something you get used to quickly);
- every intersection is manned by multiple street vendors/hawkers selling anything from newspapers, coat hangers, umbrella's, packs of 20 garbage bags, identity case covers etc;
- there is the occasional beggar at intersections, mostly who are either blind or in a wheelchair being led by a colleague;
- beware of taxi's (old rundown and flogged mini-van's), apparently run by the underworld... they are literally a law unto themselves. Always avoid them when on the road.
We have since found out that when the driver collects the van for the day, they are told to return it with a full tank of petrol and with ~R600 (around AUD100) for the owner. When each fare costs AUD2 and roads get congested, you start to understand why the drivers drive like lunatics and sympathise with them. Life or death situation for them really;
- roads have random massive pot holes and builders rubble (personal experience when beautiful new Audi is 1 day old!)... always need to be alert for them when driving;
- a clever initiative is the outsurance traffic monitors/pointspeople who man congested intersections during peak hours. Outsurance is an insurance provider here who has sponsored the initiative with the support from the Police (I guess their assistance reduces accidents and the subsequent insurance payout!). Without their assistance at some intersections, traffic would literally not move; &
- so many freeways (a bit like US). If you wanted to, you could easily travel from one freeway to the next to get to your destination.
- Jen always stores her handbag in the boot. Leaving any valuable items visible in the car increases the risk of a 'smash & grab' instance (whereby a bystander at an intersection smashes the passenger seat window and steals visible objects);
- car doors are always locked and you need to subconsciously be alert at all times of surroundings (something you get used to quickly);
- every intersection is manned by multiple street vendors/hawkers selling anything from newspapers, coat hangers, umbrella's, packs of 20 garbage bags, identity case covers etc;
- there is the occasional beggar at intersections, mostly who are either blind or in a wheelchair being led by a colleague;
- beware of taxi's (old rundown and flogged mini-van's), apparently run by the underworld... they are literally a law unto themselves. Always avoid them when on the road.
We have since found out that when the driver collects the van for the day, they are told to return it with a full tank of petrol and with ~R600 (around AUD100) for the owner. When each fare costs AUD2 and roads get congested, you start to understand why the drivers drive like lunatics and sympathise with them. Life or death situation for them really;
- roads have random massive pot holes and builders rubble (personal experience when beautiful new Audi is 1 day old!)... always need to be alert for them when driving;
- a clever initiative is the outsurance traffic monitors/pointspeople who man congested intersections during peak hours. Outsurance is an insurance provider here who has sponsored the initiative with the support from the Police (I guess their assistance reduces accidents and the subsequent insurance payout!). Without their assistance at some intersections, traffic would literally not move; &
- so many freeways (a bit like US). If you wanted to, you could easily travel from one freeway to the next to get to your destination.