POLOKWANE – Bakwena, who are responsible for managing and maintaining a safe and reliable road infrastructure along the N1 and N4 highway, say they have implemented additional measures to ensure road safety on their routes over the Easter weekend.
The Easter weekend is known for its influx of motorists to Limpopo along the N1 and brings an element of notoriety due to the number of fatal accidents.
Bakwena said their Festive Season Campaign will ensure a greater road monitoring presence to promote driver vigilance.
“Road safety is one of Bakwena’s key pillars and with the Easter holiday season on our doorstep, we have implemented various additional measures including partnering with various authorities to ensure the safety of motorists travelling the route. Bakwena would like to assure motorists that crucial roadworks will be suspended during this period,” a statement read.
Safety measures include an ongoing collaboration with Renault South Africa, Motus Corporation and the various law enforcement authorities which includes six Renault Clio vehicles boasting a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating that will be used to bolster route surveillance, crash and road user assistance over this period.
“Renault’s First Human First Program is aimed at improving the safety of all road users and reducing the number and severity of daily crashes. Thanks to Renault, these additional vehicles that will be on the road during the Easter holidays, will significantly aid increased visible policing and the presence of law enforcement,” said Vusi Mona, SANRAL’s general manager for communications and marketing.
Mona reminds motorists that the road is a shared space and that individuals have a responsibility to use that space with the safety and well-being of others in mind.
Bakwena’s chief operations officer Solomon Kganyago encourages motorists to plan their journey ahead of time and try to avoid travelling during peak periods.
“Adhere to the speed limits, be extra cautious and alert when approaching busy intersections and areas of high traffic volumes. Ensure your planning includes sufficient time to stop and take a break at least every two hours or after travelling for 200km during your journey. Driver fatigue occurs when motorists have not had enough time to rest before embarking on a long journey and potentially could lead to crashes and fatalities,” he said.
Peak periods, especially around the Pumulani and Carousel toll plazas, are expected between 12:00 and 20:00 on March 28 and 29 for northbound routes and April 1 for southbound routes.
