"DON’T DRIVE TO CAPE"

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 64, 18 December 1946, Page 7

"DON’T DRIVE TO CAPE"

MOTORISTS WARNED

MANY HAZARDS MUST BE EXPECTED

On the 11,000-mile land route to South Africa, the motorist must expect many hazards. Wild animals, disease, floods and drought are a few. Yet dozens of people, frustrated; by the long wait for shipping berths, want to drive from London to Capetown.

More than 70 have asked the Automobile Association for help. Many have jobs waiting for them, but 'there are 20,000 in the- queue for liners. 1 • .

But even if the motorist gets as far as North' Africa, here are some reasons, listed by the A.A., why he should not' go any farther:— 1. —On the Western route across the. Sahara and on the Eastern route between Khartum and Juba, in the Sudan, roads are virtually non-ex-istent, and the motorist must find his way by compass over sandy, rock-strewn whstes in temperatures which at certain seasons are among the highest recorded anywhere.

On either route a minimum of two vehicles is strongly recommended, preferably more, to cover the risk of breakdown in uninhabited country.

2.—Supplies of food, petrol, water and square parts are unobtainable in many territories.

3. Large and powerful cars with big tyres are essential. 4. —Much special equipment must be carried, including extra petrol and water tanks and medical supplies, in case floods hold up the car, perhaps for months. So the A.A. does not recommend individual motorists to tackle, the trip- , ;;■