N3TC urges caution as holiday traffic and bad weather hammer the N3 Toll Route

Motorists travelling on the N3 Toll Route are being urged to drive with extra caution as busy holiday traffic and adverse weather conditions continue to put pressure on one of South Africa’s busiest freight and travel corridors.

According to Thania Dhoogra, chief operating officer of N3 Toll Concession, consistently high traffic volumes have been recorded since the start of the summer holiday period on the route between Cedara in KwaZulu-Natal and Heidelberg in Gauteng.

“These conditions are expected to continue over the next few days, particularly in the southbound direction,” Dhoogra said.

At peak periods, traffic volumes of between 12,000 and 13,000 vehicles per day have been recorded at the Mooi and De Hoek toll plazas. Similar congestion is expected on Wednesday, 24 December. Northbound traffic towards Gauteng is likely to pick up again from Sunday, 28 December, as holidaymakers begin their return trips.

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Adding to the challenge, the holiday season has been marked by unpredictable weather, including frequent thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and mist, all of which reduce visibility and increase crash risk. N3TC has warned that these conditions are expected to persist.

“Motorists must plan for possible delays, remain patient, and be prepared for sudden changes in road conditions,” Dhoogra advised.

N3TC has also raised concern over the high number of crashes involving public transport vehicles, particularly minibus taxis. A single crash involving a high occupancy vehicle often results in multiple serious injuries or fatalities.

Read | Expect the unexpected as traffic volumes remain high on the N3 says N3TC

Crash data shows that around 81 percent of incidents on the N3 Toll Route are linked to human error, while vehicle breakdowns such as tyre bursts and brake failures account for about 9 percent. Rain has been cited as a contributing factor in 21.7 percent of crashes recorded this year, with weather related crashes often being more severe.

Motorists are urged to avoid speeding, tailgating, aggressive lane changes and flashing headlights, especially in poor weather or at night.