Motorists must remain vigilant along the N4 after a spiking incident near the Bethal offramp earlier tonight left a couple shaken but safe.

The incident happened at about 20:30. One front tyre was punctured, and a brake pipe broke as the driver continued to steer safely off the highway towards Middelburg on Samora Machel Road.

Thanks to quick thinking, he avoided stopping immediately, preventing a potential ambush by spiking gangs, which, through the years, have attacked dozens of motorists after they pulled over to change tyres. Some of those attacks have resulted in serious injuries and robberies.

The couple eventually stopped safely near the King Nyabela Hospital turn-off, where the Middelburg Dagpatrollie helped them until the vehicle was towed in. Both were shaken by the ordeal but unharmed.

Motorists are urged to report spiking incidents immediately and avoid stopping in isolated areas if they drive over spikes or other hazards on the road. The golden rule is: Keep on driving, even if there is damage to the car or tyres.

• After the spiking near the Bethal offramp was reported on the Spikings Alzu to N4/N12 Petroport WhatsApp group, other motorists alerted the group that rocks had also been placed on the N4 Pretoria to eMalahleni highway, near Kusile, where the three lanes merge into two.