Heavy traffic expected on major routes

The Gauteng Traffic Police are urging all road users to follow road safety rules and regulations in order to prevent fatalities on the roads.

As many people return to Gauteng province after the holidays, the roads leading into the province are expected to be heavily congested.

Major routes and freeways, including the N1 between Polokwane and Pretoria and the N3 between Durban and Johannesburg, are expected to experience high traffic volumes.

Since the start of the festive season, the province has seen a high number of road crashes resulting in fatalities, with over 100 deaths recorded to date.

In order to prevent further tragedies, the Gauteng Traffic Police are offering the following road safety tips:

• Turn on headlamps to enhance visibility on the road
• Only cross the road when it is safe or allowed by a traffic sign
• Do not carry large luggage on public transport that could obstruct the driver’s vision
• Public transport operators should not drive on the yellow lane on freeways, which is illegal and endangers other road users
• Avoid over speeding and unsafe overtaking at all times
• The Gauteng Traffic Police will be on high alert as part of their integrated law enforcement plan to crack down on any violations, including drunk driving, reckless and negligent driving, speeding, jaywalking, freight overloading, and roadworthiness.

Sello Maremane, spokesperson for the Gauteng Traffic Police, stated that road crashes and fatalities contribute to the alarming rate of disabilities and deaths in the province, which are often caused by the attitudes and behaviors of road users, as well as substance abuse and vehicle fitness issues.

“The Gauteng Traffic Police will be on high alert as part of their integrated law enforcement plan to crack down on any violations, including drunk driving, reckless and negligent driving, speeding, jaywalking, freight overloading, and roadworthiness,” explained Maremane.