The festive season is nearing full swing and with all COVID restrictions lifted earlier this year, we are expecting busier conditions along the N1N4 route as road users travel to holiday destinations or to be with their loved ones.
With the above in mind, and as part of Bakwena’s continued commitment to Road Safety and ensuring that the N1N4 route meets the highest international standards, Bakwena would like to assure road users that there will be no construction or closed lanes along the N1N4 route from 15 December 2022 till mid-January 2023. Toll plaza lanes will be optimized during peak periods to accommodate busy conditions.
Road users are encouraged to plan their journeys to avoid travelling in the peak periods. Peak periods are expected as follows:-
N1 Northbound & N4 Westbound
15th , 16th , 23rd , 24th & 31st December 2022
Between 12:00 and 21:00
N1 Southbound & N4 Eastbound
24th , 27th & 31st December 2022, 2nd & 8th January 2023
Between 12:00 and 21:00
Solomon Kganyago, Chief Operations Officer, 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.
Road safety is Bakwena’s priority and various additional measures have been ramped up along the route including partnering with various authorities to ensure the safety of motorists traveling the route. Through Bakwena’s ongoing partnership with Motus Corporation and Kia South Africa, 6 additional patrol vehicles have been deployed along the Bakwena N1N4 route from Thursday the 8 th December 2022 until Monday the 9th January 2023 covering the December and January festive period. These vehicles assist with additional visible policing, route surveillance, crash assistance as well as provide support to road users who find themselves in difficulty along the route.
For those traveling with e-tags, ensure your tag is topped up before your journey to minimize delays using the dedicated e-tag lanes. Top up facilities are now available at N4 Kroondal Shell Ultra East, N4 Total Magalies Petroport & N1 Total Panorama Petroport or alternatively you can also top up via SANRAL Customer Service Centres, EFT, SANRAL and selected Checkers, Pick ‘n Pay and Shoprite stores or via the SANRAL app.
For road users wanting to get an e-tag, e-tags are available at the following locations along the N1N4 route: –
- N1 Total Panorama Petroport
- N4 Doornpoort Engen One Stop
- N4 Magalies Total Petroport
- N4 Kroondal Shell Ultra City
For those travelling with children who have outgrown or graduated out of their booster seats why not pop into the Total Panorama Petroport on the N1 on Thursday 15 th December between 09:00 and 11:00 for your free Secure-A-Kid Harness. The friendly staff from Wheel Well and Bakwena will be available to assist parents with valuable car seat advice as well.
Look out for your FREE McDonalds coffee voucher being handed out at N1 Carousel Plaza over 15 & 16 th December, courtesy of Bakwena and McDonalds Bela Bela as part of our Stop and Take a Break Campaign.
For live traffic updates, you can follow Bakwena on twitter: @BakwenaN1N4. 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 Bakwena would like to take this opportunity to wish our road users and their families a safe and pleasant trip along the N1N4 route this holiday season.
