Truck drivers can expect a different road environment over the Heritage Day long weekend, with thousands of South Africans expected to travel while schools are closed.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has urged all road users to exercise extreme caution as traffic volumes are expected to increase on major routes and around popular holiday destinations.
For truck drivers, the increase in passenger vehicles can bring an added challenge, particularly where motorists unfamiliar with long-distance routes share the road with heavy vehicles.
Holiday traffic can mean sudden lane changes, risky overtaking and motorists misjudging the distance and stopping requirements of a loaded truck.
The RTMC has urged motorists to check traffic and weather conditions before leaving, allow enough time for their journeys and avoid taking unnecessary risks.
Drivers have also been reminded to make sure their vehicles are roadworthy before setting off.
For truckers working through the long weekend, the basics remain important. Checking tyres, brakes, lights, windscreen wipers and fluid levels before a trip can help prevent avoidable problems on the road.
Fatigue is another concern on long-distance routes, with the RTMC urging drivers to take regular breaks and avoid driving when tired.
All road users have also been reminded to maintain a safe following distance, obey speed limits and road markings, and take extra care around pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and children.
The RTMC has further warned against driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and using mobile phones while driving.
With Heritage Day falling on Thursday, 24 September, the long weekend is expected to bring increased movement on South Africa’s roads.
For truck drivers, the message is simple: expect more traffic, give holiday motorists room to make mistakes and don’t let the pressure to keep to schedule turn a risky situation into a crash.
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