Unpredictable traffic patterns are expected on the N3 Toll Route as the first of three consecutive long weekends kicks off.
With Easter weekend being followed by the Freedom Day and Worker’s Day long weekends, motorists travelling on the N3 between Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal should brace for busy roads and changing traffic conditions.
The N3 Toll Route, which connects four provinces – Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal – is a major transport and tourism artery in South Africa, serving a mix of long-distance trucks, public transport vehicles, and private motorists.
According to Thania Dhoogra, chief operating officer of the N3 Toll Concession (N3TC), traffic volumes are expected to surge from Thursday, 17 April 2025, as leisure travellers and public transport vehicles head to their destinations.
Truck traffic is not expected to decrease over the period, meaning road users must be ready for congestion, delays, and unpredictable weather conditions.
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Dhoogra urged drivers to plan ahead, prepare for all possible scenarios, and prioritise road safety at all times.
Despite a slight drop of 1.9% in the total number of crashes on the N3 in 2024 compared to 2023, fatal crashes rose by 11%, highlighting persistent safety concerns.
Crash data reveals that human error remains the leading cause of accidents, responsible for 75% of light motor vehicle crashes and a staggering 82% of truck crashes.
Unroadworthy vehicles, especially amongst heavy-duty trucks, also pose a serious risk on the route.
Dhoogra warned that some operators, in an attempt to cut costs, continue to neglect vehicle maintenance, endangering lives in the process.
Single-vehicle crashes made up around 30% of all incidents, many of them resulting from speeding, distracted driving, and failure to adjust to poor weather or road conditions.
Drunk driving and intoxicated pedestrians also remain major problems, with pedestrian fatalities accounting for 28% of all deaths on the route in 2024.
In response, N3TC and its road incident management partners have rolled out a range of initiatives aimed at improving safety during this busy travel period.
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These include satellite response stations, visible law enforcement operations, emergency medical services on standby, air patrols for early incident detection, and additional route patrols.
Law enforcement officers will be highly visible, conducting checkpoints and ensuring vehicle compliance across the route.
These proactive steps aim to reduce risks, ensure rapid incident response, and restore traffic flow quickly in the event of an emergency.
Dhoogra emphasised that road safety starts with every individual.
Mistakes on the road should not result in loss of life, and drivers must remain alert, calm, and cautious at all times.
With large sections of the N3 susceptible to sudden weather changes like rain, mist, and strong winds, it is crucial to drive according to conditions.
Drivers are reminded to maintain safe following distances, reduce speed on downhill sections, use headlights during poor visibility, avoid overtaking on blind rises, and never make illegal U-turns on the highway.
Traffic forecasts suggest that southbound traffic towards KwaZulu-Natal will increase from midday on Thursday, 17 April, and continue through the evening, easing after 19h00.
Heavy traffic is expected again from 04h00 to 10h00 on Friday morning, 18 April.
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Return traffic heading northbound to Gauteng will likely spike between 10h00 and 20h00 on Easter Monday, 21 April.
Similarly, Freedom Day weekend will see high volumes southbound on Friday, 25 April, and northbound on Monday, 28 April.
The trend will repeat again on Sunday, 4 May, following the Worker’s Day weekend.
Although toll plazas will operate at full capacity, congestion is still expected during these peak travel times, especially in the northbound direction.
To improve convenience and safety at toll plazas, magstripe (swipe) credit cards are no longer accepted on the N3.
All plazas now support contactless tap-and-go payments using enabled credit or debit cards, smartphones, or smart wearables.
Fleet cards, cash, and tags remain valid forms of payment.
Road users are urged to check their payment options before travelling to avoid unnecessary delays.
To ease the journey, there will be no scheduled road construction or routine maintenance during the long weekends.
All lanes will remain open unless emergency repairs become necessary. N3TC will resume normal construction activities on Monday, 5 May 2025.
As the country heads into a season of back-to-back long weekends, motorists using the N3 are advised to travel smart, stay alert, and put safety first.
Whether you’re behind the wheel of a bakkie, bus, or 56-tonner, the responsibility to get to your destination safely rests with you.
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