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

Confession: Should Photos of the Ex Remain on the Family Walls?

Mark shared a heartfelt dilemma: after marrying his wife and moving into her home, he found the walls still adorned with family photos featuring her ex-husband and their children. Mark wonders if it’s fair to ask his wife to remove these reminders of her past, or if he’s being unreasonable…
11 Sep 10 min

Kiddies Hotline: Teach us a new word that you recently learnt

Stacey and J Sbu asked the kids of KZN to become teachers by sharing a new word they’ve learned this year and explaining its meaning in their own words. Nine-year-old James impresses everyone with “hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia” (the fear of long words) while Nicholas shares the word “discombobulated,” meaning confused. Other young…
10 Sep 4 min

Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba's journey and the unfiltered power of Don't Hold Back

In a world where vulnerability is often met with judgment, Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba stands as a beacon of courage and authenticity. As the host of the Don’t Hold Back podcast, Nozibele has transformed her personal journey into a platform that not only challenges stigma but also amplifies voices that are too…
10 Sep 15 min

How Email Tone Shapes Communication

Email tone is a subtle yet powerful aspect of digital communication. As Stacey and J Sbu discussed, the way a message is phrased can completely change its meaning and the recipient’s reaction. Stacey noted, “You can say the same thing in two different ways and get two very different responses.”…
9 Sep 11 min

Listen: If days were dates, who would you swipe right on?

Ever wondered what would happen if the days of the week were people and you had to pick one to date? Well, Stacey, J Sbu, and their listeners did just that, and the results are as wild as a Friday night out! Let’s start with Monday. Monday’s the overachiever in…
8 Sep 11 min