BestDrive Montague Gardens · Week 36 · From the archive

The Road Brief

Monday 31 August to Sunday 6 September 2026 · Driving conditions, closures and quick checks for drivers in Montague Gardens, Milnerton & Killarney · 4 min read

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The week in one line

Cold mornings near 6 °C to start, then a gale-force south-easter from Thursday afternoon into Saturday under a SAWS yellow level 2 warning, and a warm Sunday.

Wednesday’s fuel increase is in: petrol up R1.34, diesel about R3.15. Then gusts of 70 to 85 km/h from Thursday afternoon, strong enough to shove a pedestrian around. Strap anything loose.

Hour by hour

Mon 31 Aug

Tue 1 Sep

Wed 2 Sep

Thu 3 Sep

Fri 4 Sep

Sat 5 Sep

Sun 6 Sep

Rain

Wind

Heat

Shaded columns are night-time (19:00–06:00). Tap a bar for details.

Heads-up · Thu 12:00–18:00 · 1–2 mm with the front, visibility down to 8 km

Light rain with Thursday’s front: greasy roads in the wind

The first rain after a dry spell lifts oil off the tar; brake earlier
Leave twice your normal following distance
Go easy on painted lines and manhole covers

Before you drive

0 of 4

These are quick checks at home or on the forecourt, not an inspection; a workshop check and your service schedule still apply.

Can’t tick one off? Pop in on Saturday (08:00 - 13:00) and we’ll check it while you wait.

Around Montague Gardens

R27 & Otto du Plessis DriveSand across the road in the gale from Thursday afternoon to Saturday morning, especially past the dunes at Woodbridge IslandWatch
N7 open stretchesCrosswinds Thursday and Friday; hold the wheel past the Potsdam and Melkbos interchangesWatch
Potsdam RoadRallyCross at Killarney on Saturday; busy from early morningWatch

Coming up

Wed 9 SepRobot Racing at Killarney. Potsdam Road busy 18:30–22:00
Sat 12 SepGun Run. Road closures in Green Point and Sea Point early Saturday and Sunday
Wed 23 SepSchools close. Term 3 ends; spring break until 5 October
Thu 24 SepHeritage Day. Public holiday; Friday is a normal working day

Law & licensing

ProposedEffective: Not yet announced

A zero alcohol limit for drivers is on the table

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy said on Wednesday she wants a 0% blood-alcohol limit, aiming for Cabinet approval by year-end and then Parliament. The limit today is still 0.05 g per 100 ml, or 0.02 for professional drivers: roughly one drink.

ProposedEffective: Not yet announced

New licence card: still no supplier

The tender for new card-printing machines was re-advertised in February after a court set aside the earlier award, and no winner has been named. Renewals carry on with the current card, and an expired card is not valid, so book before yours runs out.

Fuel & costs

Wednesday’s increase is in: petrol up R1.34 to R26.05 a litre for 95 at the coast, and diesel 50ppm up about R3.15, on Brent crude rising from $82 to $88 and fears over the Strait of Hormuz. Early data for October already points to another R2 or so.

Since Wed 2 Sep	Per litre
Petrol 95	+R1.34+134c
Petrol 93	+R1.34+134c
Diesel 50ppm	+R3.15+315c

Official adjustment of 2 September. Diesel is the wholesale change; pump prices vary. October figures are early Central Energy Fund data to 4 September.

Wheels out of alignment drag and burn extra fuel. Book an alignment check

From the workshop

Heat is coming: pressures and aircon while you wait

Thirty degrees on Monday. Pop in on Saturday morning and we’ll set your tyre pressures, check the aircon and have a look at the coolant. No booking needed.

4 Montague Drive · Saturday 08:00 - 13:00

Aircon servicing

Learn one thing

Learn

Why is my aircon blowing warm air?

Most often it’s low on gas from a slow leak. A leak check and regas usually gets it ice-cold again.

Read the answer