Highways across the country are carrying high volumes of traffic as travellers return home after the festive season. Traffic and police officers are out in full force to ensure motorists abide by speed limits.
The coming weekend is expected to see especially high traffic volumes, as the school holidays come to a close on Tuesday, 13 January.
Enforcement deployment
According to the Department of Transport, at least 800 national Road Traffic Law Enforcement Officers, supported by other law enforcement agencies, have been deployed to monitor the flow of traffic over the festive season.
The Gauteng Traffic Police has warned that it will intensify operations to ensure that motorists have safe journeys. Law enforcement officers have increased patrols, roadblocks and high-visibility operations to curb reckless behaviour, prevent crashes and reduce fatalities.
Law enforcement officers will act decisively against drunk driving, reckless and negligent driving, speeding and jaywalking, as these are among the leading causes of serious accidents on Gauteng roads.
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High-traffic routes
The following routes are expected to carry heavy traffic:
- the N3 into Gauteng from KwaZulu-Natal, the N1 into Pretoria from Limpopo;
- the N4 from Emalahleni to Pretoria;
- the N12 from Potchefstroom towards Johannesburg; and
- the N1 from Bloemfontein to Johannesburg.
Safety statistics
The Road Traffic Management Corporation has warned motorists to avoid travelling at night. Most fatal crashes happen after sunset and in the early hours of the morning.
Travel data analysed since the start of the festive season road safety campaign shows that 21% of fatal crashes happen between 21:00 and 22:00, and 6% between midnight and 01:00. These are the times when most head-on collisions have taken place, claiming many lives.
More than 4,700 public transport vehicles have been impounded for contravention of operator permits. Another 12,600 vehicles have been discontinued for roadworthy-related infringements.
Weather warnings
Motorists have been advised to check the weather forecast when travelling, as thunderstorms in the northern regions of the country have caused difficult driving conditions over the past few weeks. They should avoid driving through storms and crossing flooded bridges.
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