VIDEO: Traffic congestion to ease as Easter weekend ends
The Kranskop and Nyl toll plazas were opened several times today to ease congestion as motorists made their way home from Limpopo.
POLOKWANE – Bakwena Platinum says traffic volumes are expected to ease from 20:00 tonight as motorists make their way home from the province.
As at 20:00, nearly two thousand vehicles were passing through the Carousel toll gate on the N1 South.
#BakwenaN1N4 #TrafficVolumes 20:00#Pumulani (N) 420 (S) 2327 vph #Carousel (N) 290 (S) 1907 vph #BuckleUp #Drivesafe
— Bakwena Platinum (@BakwenaN1N4) April 1, 2024
The Easter weekend is notorious for high traffic volumes on the N1 as motorists travel to and from Limpopo.
Earlier today, Bakwena, who manages the N1/N4 stretch of highway, warned motorists of heavy traffic volumes from 09:00 to 20:00.
Today will be incredibly busy along the Bakwena N1N4 route as the country heads home after the Easter break. Stay mindful of peak times and plan your journey accordingly. Wishing you safe travels! #EasterTravel #DriveSafe #TravelSmart pic.twitter.com/qfClLXg376
— Bakwena Platinum (@BakwenaN1N4) April 1, 2024
The spokesperson for the Limpopo Department of Transport Tidimalo Chuene earlier confirmed that the Kranskop toll gate was opened several times today to ease congestion.
A video shared by the department shows a row of traffic kilometers long approaching the toll gate at around 13:00 this afternoon.
@TransportLimCom reports that the Kranskop toll plaza had to be opened several times today to ease traffic congestion. Scores of motorists continue to make their way home following the Easter long weekend. pic.twitter.com/U8mcrBBVh2
— Polokwane Observer (@PolokwaneObserv) April 1, 2024
At the time, Chuene warned motorists to practice patience.
“Gates at the Nyl and Kranskop Toll Plaza were opened several times today to clear southbound congestion on the N1. Impatient drivers are warned against driving on the yellow lane and/or facing oncoming traffic, especially at tollgates, as this might cause accidents that will congest traffic further. Please drive with caution and maintain a safe following distance at all times,” she said.
No major incidents were reported over the Easter weekend except for a horror crash that claimed the lives of 45 people on March 28.
An 8-year-old child was the sole survivor after the driver of the bus lost control and veered 50m off the Mamatlakala bridge between Marken and Mokopane.
The bus was travelling from Botswana to Moria for the annual Easter pilgrimage.
Read more: Child (8) sole survivor of bus crash that claims 45 lives en route to Moria
Meanwhile, a 30-year-old man was arrested on the N1 earlier today for travelling 200km/h in a 120km/h zone.
Chuene said the man was driving a luxury sedan and was caught near Mokopane.
“Speeding drivers are considered a menace to society. Their reckless behaviour often leads to fatal crashes,” she said.
The man is expected to appear before the Mokopane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (April 2).
