Easter commuters to expect hassle free travelling
The Easter holiday - from Friday, 14 to Monday, 17 April – is traditionally a period when there is a rapid spike in traffic on most major national and provincial highways.
MOKOPANE – The N1 between Pretoria and Limpopo is expected to be in good condition and travellers will likely not experience major delays caused by roadworks during the Easter holiday, yet there will be heavy traffic volumes on the R101.
It is expected that there will be heavy traffic on the R101 heading towards Bela-Bela on the day before Good Friday and coming back to Pretoria on Easter Monday. Also along the R101, at Moorddrift towards Mokopane, heavy traffic flows are expected early on Good Friday while going toward Mookgophong, there will be heavy traffic and congestion on Easter Monday, says Vusi Mona, Communications Manager at the South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL).
The road to and from Moria will be very busy as always with thousands of visitors expected during the Easter weekend.
They will enjoy the benefit of the improved R71 interchange just south of Polokwane. This is one of the busiest roads in Africa during Easter and the new road section and improved access for pilgrims to Zion City will contribute to the safety of the journey.
These will be the only peak travel times barring any unforeseen major traffic incidents or weather conditions.
The introduction of automated pay systems at toll plazas on the country’s busiest highways will improve traffic flow and contribute to safer journeys. Road users with electronic tags no longer have to stop where the automated payment system is already in place. “One tag lifts all booms at plazas where the automated payment system is already in place,” says Mona.
This enables motorists to plan their travel in advance, cuts down on waiting time at plazas and reduces the levels of driver fatigue and frustrations during long journeys.
“This, again, demonstrates how SANRAL’s investments in cutting-edge technology and smart road systems are contributing to a safer road environment,” says Mona.
SANRAL is undertaking routine upgrades at the Capricorn and Baobab plazas.
There might be additional vehicles due to routine road maintenance along almost the entire N1 from Pretoria to Beit Bridge. However, no major delays are expected.
Mona calls on road users to obey speed limits and slow down at demarcated areas where temporary construction might take place.
“The national and provincial road network is a safe environment and if drivers stick to the rules of the road and display tolerance and courtesy towards fellow road users, we should be able to cut down on the unacceptably high rate of fatal accidents. Driving requires focus. If you are tired, take a break; do not text and drive,” says Mona.
The agency is taking great care to prevent pedestrians or stray animals from entering the freeway network but road users are cautioned to adjust their speed, especially at night.
redakteur.bosvelder@nmgroup.co.za
