According to the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, the local traffic department is bunkered down to ensure road safety, with their annual Arrive Alive Festive Operations launched on November 17.

Traffic officers expect to see peak traffic from December 15 to 25, and again from January 2 until the reopening of schools, which will see the department enforcing compliance through the means of roadblocks, which will prioritise driving under the influence as part of the Arrive Alive Festive Operations.

Similarly, Trans African Concessions (Trac) has said it will be putting several elements into place to prevent backlogs and major traffic delays over this period.

In a media statement, Trac forecasts a substantial increase in traffic along the Maputo Corridor between Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Maputo.

“To accommodate the expected surge in traffic, Trac will ensure that all N4 toll plazas are fully staffed during peak periods,” the statement read.

“Road users should be aware that higher than normal traffic volumes are expected on December 14, 15, 16, 22 and 23, and again between January 2 and 7. Furthermore, as a preventative measure against traffic disruptions, Trac’s roadside assistance and patrol component – TRACAssist – will continue to conduct double patrols and, together with the Trac 24-hour Helpdesk, will be on full alert throughout this period.

This road emergency unit will also be on standby at designated hotspots on peak traffic days to further enhance incident/accident support and management. Trac urges road users travelling between South Africa and Mozambique during the festive season to plan their trips, as delays and traffic congestion may occur near and at the Lebombo and Ressano Garcia border posts.”

Trac also reminds the public that although delays at these border posts can impact traffic flow on the Trac N4 Route, the long queues experienced in this region mainly apply to heavy vehicles exporting goods to Mozambique, light vehicles are processed separately.

“Furthermore, although Trac assists, as far as possible, in managing congestion and incidents in the vicinity of the international border crossing, the concessionaire is not responsible for operations at the Lebombo and Ressano Garcia border posts. In a bid to further assist border management in coping with the expected influx of traffic, Trac has committed to assist with certain logistical requirements that are expected to improve traffic flow during busy times,” the statement concluded.