Staff Reporter.
Traffic volumes on national roads are expected to reach a peak on Monday, as thousands of people head back home after the Easter long weekend.
The busiest routes at this time of the year include the N1 from Gauteng to Limpopo, the N3 from Gauteng to KZN, the N2 from the Western Cape to Eastern Cape, the N14 to from Gauteng to the North-West and the N12.
According to N3 Toll Concession (N3TC), the heaviest traffic volumes are expected between 12pm and 6pm that evening.
“The traffic inspectorate may impose traffic control measures along the route to manage traffic flow, limit congestion and improve safety all along the route – and especially along Van Reenen pass,” N3 Toll Concession operations manager, Thania Dhoogra, said on Sunday.
Dhoogra advised motorist to ensure that they maintain increased vigilance while travelling.
“Motorists are advised to plan ahead and prepare for busy traffic conditions on the N3 toll road this coming Monday. High volumes on the route are expected throughout the entire day, beginning at 6am and continuing until 9pm in the evening,” she said.
Meanwhile a man has been arrested on the N1 in Lyttleton, Centurion for driving at 198 kilometres per hour.
The arrest comes amid continued focus by the Road Traffic Management Corporation on road safety over the Easter holidays.
RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane says over 75 000 vehicles have been stopped in various check points since the start of the holiday period.
“A total of 75 192 vehicles have been stopped and checked at various check points since the start of the holiday period and 699 motorists have been arrested for various offences including drunken driving, excessive speeding, producing false driving documentation, reckless driving, and overloading.
“The highest speed was recorded in Lyttleton, Gauteng where a motorist was nabbed while driving at 198km and hour in a 120km zone.”
Zwane adds that a driver was arrested in the Western Cape for drinking and driving.
“A driver with the highest breath alcohol content was arrested on Hindle Road, Delt in the West Cape with a reading of 1.03mg per 1000ml of breath. The legal breath alcohol limit in the country is less than 0.24mg in 1000ml of breath.
The Easter 2022 road statistics recorded 162 fatalities nationwide.
Road crashes declined by 28.6%, resulting in 31.5% decline in the number of fatalities when compared to the 2021 statistics.
All provinces recorded a decline in fatalities, except for the Western Cape and Mpumalanga.
According to N3TC, last year’s statistics show that the majority of all crashes were caused by human error, whether it is as a result of driver negligence such as speeding, or a lack of concentration.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.