Running out of fuel on the highway in Durban - here's the tea!

Loading player...
Running out of petrol on a Durban highway can turn a scenic drive into a hot and sunny wait.

Beyond the inconvenience, are there legal repercussions for this unfortunate situation?

In South Africa, there's no national law specifically targeting empty fuel tanks. However, stopping on a highway is generally a no-go and Durban is no exception.

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport enforces this regulation and the eThekwini Municipality can issue fines of between R500 and R1,000 for stopping on the highway due to an empty fuel tank.

On top of the fine, towing and recovery can add a hefty cost to your unexpected pitstop.

While specific details on fines might be difficult to find online, contacting the eThekwini Traffic Department directly can provide the latest information.

Avoid becoming a statistic on the highway. Here are some tips to keep your Durban travels smooth:

Develop a habit of checking your fuel gauge regularly, especially before hitting the freeway.
Most modern cars have a low-fuel warning light. Learn its location and what it means.
Utilise trip computers that display your remaining fuel range.
Plan your route and familiarise yourself with gas station locations, especially if you're venturing outside the city centre.
By staying fuelled up and informed, you can keep your Durban adventures frustration-free and keep the traffic flowing!
12 Apr 2024 English South Africa Society & Culture · Personal Journals

Other recent episodes

Great Drive Debate | Who Should Carry the Burden of Women’s Safety?

Following the deaths of several women in and around Kempton Park, police have urged women to take extra precautions. But today’s Great Drive Debate asked: Who should carry the burden of safety? Should women continue to change their behaviour to stay safe, or should more focus be placed on raising…
15 Sep 9 min

Yoh… I’m Actually an Adult?! 😂 | When Did You Realise?

Nobody sends you an email to say you’re officially an adult. 😂 One day you’re carefree, the next you’re paying bills, comparing grocery prices and getting excited about household appliances. Stacey and J Sbu asked KZN: When did you realise you’re officially an adult? From paying your first bill to…
14 Sep 9 min

How Much Does Money Matter When You’re Deciding to Say “I Do”?

This week’s confession has us asking a big relationship question: How much does money matter when you’re deciding whether to get married? One man says his girlfriend turned down his proposal because she couldn’t see a future without a better lifestyle even though he had secretly won six figures in…
10 Sep 8 min

Who’s Living Like the Cost-of-Living Crisis Doesn’t Exist?

There’s always ONE person in the household who clearly didn’t get the memo about the cost-of-living crisis! While everyone else is budgeting, cutting back and watching every cent, they’re still ordering takeaways, buying things they don’t need, taking ridiculously long showers or casually adding things to the shopping trolley. J…
9 Sep 6 min