As the festive season wraps up, motorists are advised to be cautious on the roads due to unpredictable weather conditions and a large number of people returning home from family visits or holiday getaways.

Colin Govender, spokesperson for the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), said that those involved in road safety expect the roads to be the most congested this weekend as many people make their way back home from holiday destinations.

Govender added that the RTI has been concerned for a while about this upcoming weekend for many reasons.

In addition to high traffic, unfavourable weather conditions are expected, there are two construction areas on the N3 (between Hammarsdale and Pietermaritzburg) and N2 near the spaghetti junction, and some road users will be driving under the influence of alcohol, he added.

On Sunday, there is a 30% to 60% chance of rain in Durban and Pietermaritzburg, respectively. Govender explained that while there is, unfortunately always cases of drinking and driving during the holiday season, the number of cases where drivers have been caught drinking and driving has risen this year, with over 172 people being arrested thus far.

According to Anita Heyl, N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) spokesperson, “fairly busy traffic conditions have been experienced on the N3 Toll Route this week, and we are expecting it to continue over the weekend, with high traffic volumes expected on Sunday, particularly northbound [towards Gauteng]”.

As the public make their way back home, the N3TC has warned that, following the high number of serious and fatal road crashes on the N3 Toll Road during the festive season, road users can anticipate visible policing, and the deployment of emergency services teams during peak traffic periods.

N3TC added that “multi-disciplinary teams will be manning various road safety checkpoints, and road users can expect random drug and alcohol screening tests, as well as strict law enforcement”.

In a press release, Thania Dhoogra, operations manager of N3TC, offered some advice to road users on how they can be safer on the roads.

She said that the public should avoid collisions, especially when travelling along undivided sections of the N3 carriageway, or when visibility is poor.

She added that “road users need to plan their travels and stay informed and cognisant of the changing weather, road and traffic conditions”.

She also added that road users need to “remain courteous, patient, and alert, especially under difficult conditions, such as when congestion, delays and poor weather conditions are being experienced”.

Dhoogra also reiterated that road users should not exceed the speed limit under any conditions and that she hopes that all road users reach their destinations safely.