Appointments and traffic

Yesterday we had an appointment for Quintus at a podiatrist.  Shall post about that a bit later.  We had planned our trip so that we could go have coffee in Potchefstroom,  pay Tommie’s workers in another town and have more than enough time to make to Quintus’ appointment in Johannesburg.  More than enough time.

We forgot of course that you can’t plan in South Africa.  Here you have to add at least another 1,5 hours to any travelling plan you make.  This not due to traffic jams but due to the traffic department that actually causes traffic jams.  The same department that should be able to make sure that traffic flows easily, they are the ones causing pile-ups, unauthorized U-turns, people driving through the veld with brand-new smart cars.  Anything just to make it to their destination on time.

About 10 km’s outside of Potchefstroom, there was a road block.  Checking for drivers licenses, outstanding fines, stuff like that.  Oh btw, if you have a dead body in your trunk, a gun lying on your dashboard or drive with slick tyres that won’t be a problem, since it’s not on the list of things to check.

About 10 km before we even hit the road block, our car had to come to a standstill.  Along with hundreds of other cars and people on their way to work, appointments or random sex in the park.  Everyone in a hurry.  Except for the traffic officers of course.  Mini picnic next to the road for them.

We stood still (or moving at 3 km/h) for an HOUR.  Zander and I got out.  He wet the tar, so to speak.  Walked around a bit.  Entertained the people around us.  Still….no cars moving.  Some of the older cars were over-heating.  Still … no cars moving.  An hour!

About 10 cars before we were to make it to the front,  they realized that the cars were piled-up about 20 km’s back, so they decided to let some people through.

So much for planning a trip.  I do think they have another plan with this though.  Now you are so late, you HAVE to speed to make it to your destination on time.  More money for them.  Oh and I wonder how many accidents were on the N12 after that.  People in a hurry on a single lane road?  Come on…can’t they spend that time and money on finally fixing up that road?  How many accidents do they want between Johannesburg and Potchefstroom?