Information Required by Authorities When Reporting Incidents

If you come across an incident, it is vital that accurate and relevant details are collected. This will facilitate the dispatching of appropriate resources and help to prevent an unnecessary response. To assist in the collection of appropriate information, the following checklist of questions should be used.

  1. What is the caller’s name and telephone number?
  2. Where has the incident occurred?
  3. What is involved (i.e. number of vehicles)?
  4. What types of vehicles are involved (i.e. motor cars / trucks)?
  5. Are there any injuries?
  6. Is anybody trapped in any of the vehicles?
  7. Is the road obstructed?
Emergency Contact Numbers
0800 33 99 11 Road Traffic Inspectorate
10177 Ambulance Emergency Medical Services
10111 South African Police Service
112 Vodacom Emergency Number
121 MTN Emergency Number
140 Cell C Emergency Number
What to Look out for when Reporting Incidents to Authorities

Should you come across an incident during your travels, whether it is an accident or some form of obstruction, it is extremely important to immediately establish the exact location to ensure prompt action from the relevant emergency services. The following are examples of accurate location identification:

Kilometre Marker Boards

The most accurate location details can be obtained from the blue kilometre marker boards erected every 200 metres along the national road. Yellow concrete pillars are erected every 1 km along provincial roads. For example,

This board reveals the following location details:

  • It is the N3 route
  • On section 3
  • At kilometer 25,6
  • On the southbound carriageway

Direction Signage

Blue direction signs are erected along dual carriageways to guide motorists in selecting an exit ramp close to a road junction. Along other roads, these signs are green. These signs also provide useful location information. For example,

This sign reveals the following:

  1. Interchange number
  2. Local authority (where applicable)
  3. Intersection route number (where applicable)
  4. Exit ramp destination

 

Other Signage

River Names

To assist motorists in identifying their location, river names are signed along both national and provincial roads.

These signs, such as the sign illustrated in the photograph below can provide useful information concerning the whereabouts of an incident.

Tourism Signage

Although not all landmarks have signage, brown tourism signs provide details of services facilities, accommodation and tourism attractions. As illustrated in the photograph below, these signs can also be used in the identification of where an incident has occurred.

 

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