Three articulated trucks caught fire after being involved in a collision on the N4 Toll Road between Hectorspruit and Marloth Park, towards Komatipoort, on Friday morning.
All three truck drivers escaped the crash unharmed, according to the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison.
The collision comes as the N4 continues to experience significant pressure from heavy truck traffic heading towards the Lebombo Port of Entry into Mozambique.
Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison Jackie Macie said authorities are aware of the increased number of trucks travelling towards the Port of Maputo and the long queues being experienced by drivers.
He warned, however, that frustration over the delays cannot justify dangerous driving.
“While we understand the frustration of being in queues for longer hours, no individual has the right to drive in front of oncoming traffic,” Macie said.
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The MEC’s warning follows growing concern over reports of some truck drivers attempting to bypass queues by moving into the lane used by oncoming traffic.
SA Trucker has recently highlighted videos showing some trucks allegedly crossing into opposing traffic lanes while attempting to get past the congestion on the N4.
The behaviour creates a particularly dangerous situation on a busy freight corridor, where trucks travelling in opposite directions can be faced with little room to avoid a head-on collision.
Macie said traffic law enforcement officers have been deployed at the Lebombo Border Post to deal with motorists and truck drivers who disregard the rules of the road or drive recklessly.
He urged everyone travelling during the weekend to exercise extreme caution.
The cause of Friday morning’s collision between the three trucks had not been confirmed by the department at the time of publication. There is also no indication from the information released by the department that queue-jumping was a factor in this particular crash.
The N4 between Hectorspruit, Komatipoort and the Lebombo border has recently experienced periods of heavy truck congestion, with authorities warning road users to take extra care around the affected areas.
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