As hundreds of thousands ZCC pilgrims head to Moria for their annual Easter gathering, Bakwena, the concessionaire of the N1N4 toll routes, urges all travellers to take extra care on the roads over the long Easter weekend by following these safety tips and suggestions:
1. Peak travel times are expected on N1 northbound on Thursday, 24 March between 12h00 and 21h00, Friday, 25 March between 09h00 and 12h00 and on N1 southbound Monday, 28 March between 09h00 and 21h00. It is advisable for drivers to plan their journeys in advance to avoid travelling in the peak period.
In order to ensure smoother traffic flow on the routes that Bakwena manages, there will be no construction or lane closures over the Easter period, and all lanes at plazas will be open, including reversible lanes in peak directions.
2. In order to mitigate avoidable road incidents, all drivers embarking on a long journey over Easter need to ensure that their vehicles are fully road worthy before setting off. Check tyres, lights, brakes, water/oil levels, windscreen wipers are up to standard.
3. Adhere to the speed limit and maintain a safe following distance of at least three seconds or more between vehicles, especially in areas of low visibility and on winding roads.
4. Do not drink and drive.
“Drinking and driving is still a major cause of incidents and crashes on South African roads which why visible policing on the N1N4 routes will be a priority along with providing additional freeway patrols,” says Bakwena spokesperson, Charmaine van Wyk. “Those caught for driving drunk will be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.”
Drivers are also encouraged to take breaks every two hours, or every 200 km, and to avoid travelling 6. Invest in an eTag for a quick, convenient and efficient tolling experience.
5. when tired
Van Wyk adds that the use of etags during busy period is ideal. “Having an etag is a convenient method of payment and reduces the need to keep cash on hand for toll fees and/or use of credit card. Simply reduce your speed to approximately 30km per hour in dedicated etag lanes so that the sensor can pick up your etag, and the booms will open up automatically allowing an effortless and timesaving experience.
7. Understand how road markers work
“To ensure motorists have a pleasant experience on the N1N4 routes this Easter, Bakwena have again partnered with Imperial to double up on our route patrols so that we can assist road users who find themselves in difficulty along the route more effectively,”concludes van Wyk. “Incase of an emergency, road users simply have to call our Customer Care centre on 0800Bakwena (0800 2259362) and use the information displayed on the blue kilometre board markers to provide details of their location when reporting an accident or requesting assistance.