Our Story
One experience sparked an idea. A shared responsibility became
movement.
Indicate for a Mate was born from a simple observation: communication on our roads matters. In 2017, after moving back home to Durban, the founder of the campaign experienced a road accident in a double-lane traffic circle in Umhlanga. Another vehicle entered the circle without indicating, resulting in a collision. The experience highlighted something that is often overlooked on our roads: we cannot always see what another driver is thinking, but we can communicate what we intend to do.
An indicator may seem like a small action, but it gives other road users information. It creates awareness. It gives people an opportunity to anticipate what is coming next.
That experience sparked the idea behind Indicate for a Mate, which began in 2018.
The original campaign set out to promote a simple principle: When you indicate, you are not only driving for yourself — you are communicating with everyone around you. Although the original website and campaign material were eventually lost, the idea never disappeared. Over the years, continued experiences on South African roads — together with conversations heard from motorists, young drivers and communities — reinforced the need for better communication, greater courtesy and more consideration between road users. And so, Indicate for a Mate is being rebuilt. But this time, it is bigger than one person and bigger than one experience. This is for all of us. Indicate for a Mate is about creating a culture where drivers recognize that every journey is shared with someone else.
It is about encouraging motorists to think beyond their own vehicle and consider the person in the car next to them, the pedestrian crossing the road, the learner travelling to school, the cyclist, the motorcyclist, the taxi driver, the truck driver and every other person who shares our roads. The campaign is built on a simple principle: Look out for the person next to you. Because safer roads are not created by one driver.
They are created when all of us take responsibility for how our actions affect others.
Indicate for a Mate.
Small action. Big difference.
Why We Exist
Indicate for a Mate is about more than using an indicator. It's about creating a culture of awareness, courtesy and responsibility on South Africa's roads.
When you indicate before turning, changing lanes or moving around another road user, you're communicating your intention. That simple signal gives others information they can use and shows consideration for the people sharing the road with you.
We believe safer roads are built through everyday choices. Every driver has a role to play, and every positive action can contribute to a safer road environment.
It's a small action, but when millions of road users make that choice, it can make a big difference.
Our Values
Every journey begins with a choice. Choose to look out for the people around you. Become part of Indicate for a Mate and help us build a culture of courtesy, responsibility and safer roads.
