It is well known that during this time and event, there is an influx of people who use major roads, including the N3 and N2, to get to Durban. The majority of these are visitors from neighbouring provinces and other parts of the province.
Motorists are advised to drive with extra caution and vigilance because most roads have been damaged by the recent floods, causing severe congestion and delays. Some road lanes have been reduced, and some have developed potholes as a result of torrential rains.
Construction is also underway as part of the provincial post-flood reconstruction and recovery plan.
To address the issue of traffic and congestion on the N3, the provincial government has developed a clear traffic management plan in collaboration with the South African National Road Agency SOC Limited (Sanral). The plan aims to respond to the recent spate of accidents on N3 Peter Brown involving a large number of heavy vehicles.
The plan includes installing cameras to monitor traffic, deploying traffic cops to assist, mandating heavy vehicle stops and enforcement, and deploying technology and mobile robots to manage traffic control.
Sanral has also activated its Traffic Management Centre in uMkhondeni to ensure effective traffic monitoring and prompt interventions as needed.
Furthermore, the province has requested that the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) deploy additional traffic officers for the deployment of National Traffic Police.
Municipal traffic has also been hired to collaborate with the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) to monitor and conduct intensive operations on other strategic roads.
Mr Siboniso Mbhele, the Head of Transport, commented on the weekend’s plans, saying the escalation of accidents on the N3 is a serious concern and motorists must be responsible.
“The Durban July weekend is always associated with high traffic volumes. We appeal to motorists to be extra careful and leave early to their destinations. There are many areas that are affected by the floods including the N2 in uMgababa, uN2 uMhlanga River Bridge, N2 uMhlali bridge. M4 and R102, which are alternatives to N2 has parts that are still closed due to sinkholes caused by floods. The challenge on N3 Peter Brown is receiving our attention. We have a joint traffic monitoring team that is working with Sanral to avert further loss of lives on the stretch of road,” said HoD Mbhele.
Operations will be targeting drinking and driving, excessive speeding, driving without proper documentation.