Motorists in and around eMalahleni faced severe traffic congestion last night, with many struggling to reach their homes due to a combination of an accident and ongoing roadworks.

The R555 and R545 were packed with vehicles, forcing commuters to endure two-hour delays as they navigated the gridlocked roads.

The chaos began when a serious accident occurred on the R545 (Kriel – Bethal road) at approximately 16:30.

The collision involved a heavy abnormal truck and another truck, leading to a complete road closure.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, transporting the injured truck driver to the hospital.

The wreckage caused significant obstruction, making it impossible for motorists to pass through.

The accident, coupled with ongoing roadworks on the R555 (Old Middelburg Road between Blancheville and Jackaroo Park), created a perfect storm of traffic congestion.

Many commuters expressed frustration over the delays, with some reporting that their usual travel time had tripled due to the bottleneck.

Concerns have also been raised about reckless driving, as some motorists ignored traffic regulations to bypass the congestion.

Authorities warn that such behaviour poses a serious risk to fellow road users and could lead to further accidents.

“The traffic was absolute chaos. A man tried his best to regulate the flow, hoping to make it easier for motorists. They were driving on both sides of me, their headlights glaring, making everything so overwhelming. Too many road users weren’t following the traffic rules, which only worsened the disorder. The road was so busy that if an emergency happened, I fear an ambulance would struggle to get through to the injured,” explained Annatjie du Toit as she described the alarming scene, emphasizing on the reckless behaviour of motorists and the serious consequences of their disregard for traffic regulations.

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