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Namibia |
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Gravel roads
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Some important tips for gravel roads Drive slowly. If anything happens, slow down even more. Drive towards the center of the road. You won't be pulled over. As Jim Morisson said, "Keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel." Watch the sides of the roads for animals, particularly at dawn and dusk. Keep plenty of water in the car. Roll up the windows immediately when you see another car. Enjoy the scenery. |
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Namibian roads
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“If you have a problem, you may need water as you wait for someone to come along. As a rule have two liters for each occupant and two liters for the radiator.”
A large part of Namibia’s road network consists of gravel roads. The reason for this is that tarred roads are expensive to build, and are not particularly necessary if they don’t carry a lot of traffic. Gravel roads are inexpensive and easy to maintain. The only drawback is that people who use them have to drive slower and need to use a slightly different set of driving skills.
Most rental vehicles arrive with a small pamphlet which explains how to drive on gravel roads. Unfortunately, many visitors don’t bother to read this pamphlet, and so every year a number of people cease being tourists and become statistics.
As you have taken the trouble to open this page, here are some serious guidelines for driving on gravel. Use them and you could possibly save your life.
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You may be in a hurry to get where you are going, but speeding is particularly dangerous on a gravel road. The speed limit on a gravel road is 100 km / hour. A leisurely 60 to 80 km / hour is even better.
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Drive as close as possible to the center of the road. This will give you time to react. Slow down and move to the left side of the road when a car approaches. Roll your windows up to avoid being sandblasted.
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Occasionally someone will want to overtake you. When this happens slow down and move to the left side of the road. This will reduce the damage done to your car by stones that the overtaking car throws up. Your visibility will be substantially limited by the dust of the overtaking car, so drive slowly until the dust trail subsides.
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Keep an eye on the sides of the road for people and animals. Slow down if you see either. Animals are particularly dangerous. You don’t know if it they will jump out into the road in an attempt to get over before you arrive or of they will stay put.
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If you slam on brakes, the car will skid and possibly roll. Use your brakes gently. In a crisis try to pump the brakes gently and continuously.
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If it is dusty, hazy or raining, turn your headlights on so that other drivers can see you.
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Keep an eye out for traffic signs, especially the signs for curves and sharp turns. You will have less road holding to work with if you encounter one of these, so slow down.
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Try not to drive gravel roads in the very early morning or at night. Visibility is poor and animals will be on the move.
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Slow down if it rains. The mud becomes slippery, roads get washed away in places and puddles may conceal holes that you would otherwise have avoided.
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Check that your tyre pressure is at the recommended pressure. Check daily if possible.
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Tyre pressure plays an important role in the road-holding ability of your vehicle.
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Make sure that you have enough oil and at least one spare tyre before setting off.
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If you have a problem, you may need water as you wait for someone to come along. As a rule have two liters for each occupant and two liters for the radiator.
- When passing someone... make sure that you build up some distance before you turn in again. The stones that you throw up may brake his windscreen.
- Slow down and drive to the middle of the road if you see pedestrians, cyclists, donkeys or carts. The stones could damage them as well.
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Keep both hands on the wheel at all times.
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Concentrate.