Holiday makers can exacerbate N4 delays
The N4 toll route concessionaire is still concerned about lawlessness amid the school holiday traffic expected over the weekend.
NELSPRUIT – While queue jumpers persist at the stop-and-go control points on the N4, a significant increase in traffic is expected with the advent of school holidays.
Trans African Concessions (TRAC), which manages the this route, advises that traffic volume which normally increases sharply on Friday afternoons is expected to peak even higher this Friday. It remains concerned about the general lawlessness of some road users, especially along the Crocodile Gorge section of the route, despite efforts by various law-enforcement authorities to calm disruptions.
Community safety, security and liaison MEC Mr Vusi Shongwe pleaded with motorists to prioritise their safety and should care for other motorists. He added that law-enforcement agencies would be deployed on all major roads this weekend in order to ensure that those who broke the law would be dealt with.
TRAC spokesman Ms Anita Heyl said some road users continuously refused to abide by the basic rules required for the successful operation of a control point, skipped queues and drove into oncoming traffic to get ahead of the line of vehicles. “This unacceptable behaviour not only puts their own lives and that of their passengers at risk, but also threatens the lives of innocent drivers and construction workers.”
Lowvelder continues to receive photographs from angry motorists who patiently wait in the queue, only to be overtaken by illegal queue jumpers.
Not all motorists are assured by the announcement by the department that it will contain the lawlessness at these points. A concerned Komatipoort resident writes, “This problem is a long-term problem caused by irresponsible people who just don’t care about the safety of others. The absence of traffic officials is the problem. Nowhere do you see them present in the gorge, you only see them under trees stopping Mozambican drivers. They should man the points and fine the motorists who jump the line.”
Asked whether provincial traffic officers could be deployed at these points permanently or during peak times, the department responded that it would continue to play its role as a supporting agent and that the contractor needed to ensure that plans were in place to minimise risks and to proactively sensitise road users of an impending hazard or danger, enforced by a security officer on site.
From September 9 to 15, provincial traffic officers issued a total of 6 279 fines for various offences such as failure to wear seatbelts and excessive speed. Five motorists were also arrested for violations that include drunken driving, reckless and negligent driving and overloading.
The MEC has called on increased vigilance on the part of motorists and that they must also obey road rules and regulations.
TRAC urges motorists and holiday makers to take note of the following:
• Schoemanskloof
Stop-and-go control points are in place in Schoemanskloof while road improvements are taking place. Total delays experienced here should not exceed 20 minutes.
• Nelspruit to Nkomazi Plaza via Crocodile Gorge
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.
