Heavy traffic volumes have been recorded on major South African highways as thousands of motorists take to the roads for the Easter weekend. The authorities have urged drivers to exercise caution and adhere to road safety regulations over the holiday period.
Gauteng Traffic Police say the N1 between Pretoria and Polokwane is currently recording over 2 080 vehicles per hour at Pumulani Toll Plaza in the northern direction.
The N12 between Johannesburg and Potchefstroom is also experiencing heavy traffic flows ahead of the Easter weekend.
Gauteng Traffic Police Spokesperson Sello Maremane has urged motorists to drive with caution.
“The N3 Johannesburg to Durban is currently recording 1 100 vehicles per hour at Dehoek Plaza in Heidelburg. Motorists are urged to drive with caution and within the prescribed speed limit. It is also important to avoid unnecessary lane changing as this may cause congestion.”
Traffic volumes peak amid Easter holidays:
Moria
Over 2 000 vehicles per hour are expected to pass through the Kranskop toll gate in Limpopo from this Thursday afternoon ahead of the Easter holidays.
About 4 000 buses are expected to arrive in the province carrying worshippers to the ZCC and St. Enginas ZCC churches in Moria outside Polokwane for the Easter conferences.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy briefs the media on the road safety inspections at the toll gate.
“The N1 is expected by this afternoon to have more than 2,500 vehicles an hour passing through this toll gate, as many travelers will be going on the Easter pilgrimage to Maria, while others are moving to neighboring countries. Law enforcement has been intensified over this period with the deployment of national traffic officers to ensure visibility day and night.”
Road fatalities
In North West, the MEC for Transport Management Wessels Morweng has unveiled the provincial Easter Road Safety Operational Plan in Bapong outside Rustenburg.
The plan will focus on reducing road fatalities, improve compliance and ensure safer travel during this high-risk period. Morweng is optimistic that they will continue to reduce road fatalities in the province.
“Our objectives this time is to try and reduce fatalities and serious injuries, improve compliance within the public transport, enhance visibility and strengthen coordination across all law enforcement agencies. Our risk analysis identifies Bojanala Platinum district municipality as the highest risk district, followed by Ngaka Modiri Molema, Dr Kenneth Kaunda with both also classified as high risk and lastly Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district which remains moderate to high largely due to long distance travel risks.”
High visibility
Traffic authorities in Western Cape say their teams will maintain a high visibility on the province’s roads this Easter. Authorities have issued a stern warning to road users that lawlessness will not be tolerated.
Western Cape Mobility Minister, Isaac Sileku, says they have launched an integrated plan for the weekend.
“We are crossing our fingers and we are hoping that the operators and the public play their part. We as mobility are playing our part. We are visible. We say zero tolerance for drunk and reckless driving. We are making sure people are complying on our roads. But we can only do so much as the Department of Mobility. So, everybody that is going to be on our roads they also need to bring their part.”
Roadblocks
The Free State Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport’s Chief Director of traffic management Lehana Leeto has urged road users to respect the rules of the road as there will be zero tolerance for any offence happening in the province.
Leeto says roadblocks and roadside checks will be mandatory in all five regions of the Free State this weekend.
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