SOUTH Africans are advised to expect large traffic volumes on the national highways building up to the festive period.
According to the Road Traffic Incorporate (RTI) large numbers have already been recorded today entering KwaZulu-Natal as the coastal province gears up to host thousands of tourists.
Official Toll Plaza figures per hour are as follows:
N3:
De Hoek Toll Plaza – 840 vehicles (southbound); 840 (northbound). Recorded at 11am
Wilge Toll Plaza – 670 vehicles (southbound); 450 (northbound) – 11am
Mooi River Toll Plaza – 1 390 vehicles (southbound); 640 vehicles (northbound) – 11am
Marian Hill Toll Plaza – 1 831 vehicles (southbound); 1 553 vehicles (northbound) – 9am]
N2:
Tongaat Toll Plaza – 1 532 vehicles (southbound); 1 274 vehicles (northbound) – 9am]
Tugela Toll Plaza – 1 050 vehicles (southbound); 540 vehicles (northbound) – 11am]
The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) have in the meantime cautioned motorists to adhere to the rules of the road.
‘Traffic will begin to pick up after schools close today and the construction industry shuts down.
‘As Christmas falls on a Tuesday, it can be expected that traffic will start peaking on the previous Friday, December 21.’
Dumisani Nkabinde, Eastern Region Regional Manager for SANRAL, said the official road death toll over the 2017/2018 festive season was 1 527.
‘Even one death is one too many. Drivers are encouraged to take a break and enjoy the scenery which KZN has to offer.
‘Respect the rules of the road and ensure your vehicles are roadworthy.
‘Let us be kind and courteous to our fellow road users and remember that road safety is a team activity – let us help each other to ease the frustrations of heavy traffic and help and allow everyone to arrive alive at their destinations,’ Nkabinde said.
Commenting on national road conditions, he said the N2, which connects Cape Town with the KZN North Coast along the eastern seaboard, is in great shape to handle higher traffic volumes.
He said the N3 freeway between Gauteng and the KwaZulu-Natal coastal resorts is also in good condition and travellers will not experience any delays caused by road works.
‘Road users will be able to travel the entire distance without encountering road works or having to wait for construction activities,’ Nkabinde said.
Motorists can visit the SANRAL website, www.nra.co.za for help in planning their journeys.
SANRAL has made available a series of videos to help motorists plan on their journeys – what route to use, what to expect on the road, the estimated expenditure for tolls and rest spots along the routes.
For more traffic updates, contact KZN Traffic Management Centre on 033 8462860 and i-traffic twitter handle – @i-trafficKZN
Incidents should be reported to either the South African Police Services (10111) or the National Traffic Call Centre (NTCC) on 012 6656075.
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