High incidence of car crashes leads to appeal for caution on roads
The Nkomazi Local Municipality (NLM) is appealing to the road users to be extremely cautious when driving on the N4 and all roads in the subregion.
MALALANE – The Nkomazi Local Municipality (NLM) is appealing to the road users to be extremely cautious when driving on the N4 and all roads in the subregion.
This came to light this week, after emergency medical services personnel responded to more than five serious accidents which saw more than 20 people being hospitalised.
Spokesman for the NLM, Mr Cyril Ripinga, regarded these incidents as horrific.
“As a municipality we have been shocked by the number of life-threatening accidents on our roads. A majority of these have been horrific, with one resulting in the hospitalisation of 16 people, whereby one of the injured died overnight in Shongwe Hospital. In another severe accident, last Friday evening, more people were hospitalised, when two vehicles collided head-on near the Nkomazi Tollgate,” Ripinga said.
He added there had been an increase in the number of vehicles on the road as a result of stop-and-go delays on the N4.
“The delays caused by the stop-and-go operations being undertaken by TRAC, have resulted in more vehicles making use of the road at the same time.
“As a municipality we appeal to all road users to be extremely cautious. These accidents tend to cause even longer delays on the roads. So therefore, we request motorists to be extra cautious, and we also appeal to all to be patient with one another, mainly at stop and gos.”
Meanwhile TRAC has advised travellers in the Lowveld to carefully plan their trips as current construction work and high traffic volumes may cause congestion along the N4 between Nelspruit and Malalane, and between Komatipoort and the Lebombo Border Post.
“Traffic volumes increase sharply on Friday afternoons and it is expected to peak more as inland schools close for the holidays. TRAC remains concerned about the general lawlessness of some road users, especially in the Crocodile Gorge, despite efforts by various law-enforcement authorities to calm disruptions. Some road users continuously refuse to abide by the basic rules required for the successful operation of a stop-and-go control point.
“They skip queues and drive into oncoming traffic to get ahead of the line of vehicles at the control point. This unacceptable behaviour not only puts their own lives and that of their passengers at risk, but also threatens the lives of innocent road users and construction workers,” said TRAC in an official press release.
It furthermore appealed for patience.
“Construction work is required to maintain and improve roads and will ultimately result in a safer and more convenient travelling experience,” it read.
Two 24-hour stop-and-go points are in place to accommodate traffic in this construction area.
At peak periods, traffic delays can be extensive. Travellers are advised to allow at least 60 minutes extra travel time.
Border operating hours
Mozambique – Lebombo/Ressano Garcia: 06:00-00:00
Mozambique – Lomahasha/Namaacha: 07:00-20:00.
