Road closures: live updates, detours and safety tips

Road closures can derail your day if you’re not ready. This page gathers the latest news and practical advice about road closures across African cities so you can plan trips, avoid delays and stay safe. Use these tips before you leave and while you’re on the road.

How to get live updates

Check real-time sources before you travel: navigation apps (Google Maps, Waze) show closures and detours; local traffic authority websites list planned works; city social feeds post emergency closures. Tune your car radio for traffic bulletins during rush hour and follow municipal traffic units on social media for instant alerts. If you commute regularly, sign up for SMS or email alerts from your city’s transport department when available.

For longer trips, call the highway or toll operator to confirm closures caused by maintenance or weather. Freight drivers should check national transport bulletins and planned oversized-load schedules so they don’t run into restricted sections.

What to do during a closure

If you meet a closed road, don’t try to push past barricades. Barricades protect workers and equipment and often mark unsafe conditions. Pause, check your navigation for a detour, or follow official diversion signs. Give yourself extra time — detours can add 10–60 minutes depending on the route and traffic.

If you’re stalled in traffic because of an unexpected closure, keep your engine off if stopped for a long time to save fuel, turn on your hazard lights, and keep doors locked. If you need help, call local emergency services and share your location (use your phone’s location pin). If you witness a dangerous situation—fallen power lines, flooding, or an accident—report it to the nearest traffic authority and emergency services immediately.

When driving near work zones, slow down and obey posted limits. Workers and temporary lanes can appear suddenly. Avoid distractions: put your phone away and follow the flow of traffic. Motorcyclists and cyclists should take extra caution and use alternate routes where possible.

Event organizers and construction teams: notify residents and commuters in advance, publish detour maps, display clear signage, and coordinate with municipal traffic units. Proper permits and traffic management plans reduce complaints and keep traffic flowing.

Want to report a closure or suggest a detour? Contact your municipal transport authority or highway operator first. You can also flag problems to local newsrooms and community groups that relay issues to officials faster. On Continental Scout Daily, tag pages like this collect related reports so you can find stories about major closures and their impact.

Small habit to save time: before each trip, open a navigation app, glance at local traffic news, and allow 15–30 extra minutes when you know repairs or events are happening. A little planning prevents big waits.

If you need the latest stories about road closures in your area, use our tag feed on cmscout.co.za to see reports, official statements and travel advice as they’re published.