Two trucks from the same transport company were involved in a side-swipe collision on the N10 in the Eastern Cape as heavy snowfall continues to create hazardous driving conditions across parts of the province.
The exact circumstances surrounding the crash are not yet known. However, footage from the scene shows the road covered in snow at the time of the incident, raising questions about whether the slippery conditions may have played a role.
The collision is a timely warning for truck drivers travelling through the Eastern Cape, where a major winter weather system is bringing snow, freezing temperatures and difficult road conditions.
Several high-altitude routes in the province are particularly vulnerable to snowfall and closures. Provincial authorities have previously identified routes including Barkly Pass, Penhoek Pass, Wapadsberg Pass and Lootsberg Pass as areas frequently affected by snow and road closures.
For truckers, snow on the road presents a serious challenge. A snow-covered surface can become extremely slippery, while visibility can also deteriorate rapidly. Drivers who are not accustomed to winter conditions can easily underestimate how much stopping and manoeuvring distances can increase.
Authorities have urged motorists encountering snow, ice or hail to slow down gradually, increase following distances and avoid sudden steering, braking or acceleration.
With widespread snowfall currently affecting parts of the Eastern Cape and other areas of the country, truck drivers are urged to check road conditions before setting off and to take road closure warnings seriously.
A road closure is there for a reason. No load or delivery is worth taking unnecessary chances when conditions become unsafe.
For truckers currently on the road: take it slow, leave plenty of space and don’t try to fight the weather.
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