With a very different festive season taking place this year, Bakwena Platinum Corridor Concessionaire {Bakwena} urges motorists to abide by the COVID-19 preventative measures currently in place as well as the rules of the road this festive season.
As part of our continued commitment to Road Safety and ensuring that the N1N4 route meets the highest international standards, continuous maintenance, rehabilitation and upgrades are necessary. Bakwena is pleased to advise motorists that the R512 eastbound off-ramp and R511 westbound off-ramp have been opened to traffic. Bakwena also confirms there will be no works taking place during the festive period and all lanes along the whole route of 385km will be open.
Solomon Kganyago, Commercial Manager, encourages motorists to plan their journey ahead of time and try to avoid travelling in the peak periods. Adhere to the speed limits, be extra cautious, and alert when approaching busy intersections and areas of high traffic volumes. Ensure your planning includes sufficient time to stop and take a break at least every two hours or after travelling for 200km during your journey. Driver fatigue occurs when motorists have not had enough time to rest before embarking on a long journey and potentially could lead to crashes and fatalities.
To ensure motorists have a safe and pleasant trip along our route over the festive season, Bakwena has again partnered with Motus Corporation and Kia Motors South Africa for 6 additional patrolling vehicles to be added to our existing route patrols on the N1N4 route. These 6 vehicles were handed over on Tuesday 8 th 2020 and will effectively assist with visible policing, crash assistance, route surveillance as well as assist motorists who find themselves in distress while travelling the N1N4 toll route.
If you don’t already have a car seat for your child, you can pop into the Total Panorama Petroport on the N1 on Friday 18 th December whereby Bakwena in partnership with Wheel Well and Supa Quick will be handing out Secure-A-Kid harnesses free of charge and will also have a limited number of car seats available for an affordable donation. The friendly staff from Supa Quick will also be on hand offering free holiday safety checks on your vehicle.
Kganyago has the following safety tips for road users:-
- Ensure your vehicle is road worthy before your trip and your services are up to date to avoid unnecessary breakdowns.
- Plan your journey to avoid travelling in the peak period.
- Peak periods are expected on N1 north & N4 west on the 15th, 18 th , 24 th , & 31st December 2020 between 12H00 till 20H00 and on the N1 south & N4 east on the 3 rd &
10th January 2020 between 12H00 till 20H00. - During busy periods, Bakwena will ensure that all lanes at our plazas are open in the peak direction.
- Maintain a safe following distance of at least 3 seconds or more between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. This distance should be increased at times of low visibility
and when the road is wet. - Stick to the speed limit.
- Do not drink and drive, this is one of the leading major causes contributing to crashes in South Africa.
- Avoid texting and driving, leave the texting in the hands of your passengers.
- Remember to stop and take a break at least every 2 hours.
- Be cautious and do not stop along the side of the road unless you are faced with an emergency.
- If faced with an emergency while travelling the N1N4 route, the number to dial is 0800 BAKWENA / 0800 2259362, use the information on the blue km board markers to
identify your location when requesting assistance or reporting incidents. - Invest in an e-tag for a quick, convenient and pleasant tolling experience. Having an e-tag is a fast and convenient method to pay your toll fees. E-tags are now available at the new e-tag kiosk situated on the N1 at the Total Panorama Petroport Monday to Friday between 10:00 to 19:00.
Bakwena would like to take this opportunity to wish our road users and their families a safe and happy holiday season.