Safety on the Roads This Festive Season

The closing of Western Cape schools saw traffic on our major roads pick up drastically from Friday, 2 December 2005, when more than 1,000 minibus taxis passed a roadblock on the N1 near Worcester. Thousands more are expected to take to the roads or make use of public transport when the clothing and building industries close later this week on 14 December.
Motorists should exercise caution on the following roads in particular:

• The N1 between Cape Town and Beaufort West, where heavy traffic is expected due to an increase in public transport to the Eastern Cape.
• The N1 between Beaufort West and Laingsburg, which is regarded as a high-accident area.
• The N1 between De Doorns and Worcester, where roadworks are causing delays. This stretch of road will temporarily be reopened on 15 December to allow smooth flow of traffic.
• The N7 between Piketberg and Clanwillian, which is too narrow to allow for overtaking.
• The N2 between Knysna and George, where construction could cause delays.

There are a number of things you can do to improve your safety on our roads. Don't overload your vehicle, take frequent rest breaks and drive with your headlights on to improve visibility to other motorists, as recommended by the late minister of transport, Dullah Omar. Officers from the Provincial Traffic unit will be visible on all roads, the N1 especially, throughout the season to make sure that traffic regulations are obeyed and to ensure the free flow of traffic as needed.

On behalf of the MEC for Community Safety and the Provincial Traffic Law Enforcement, we appeal for co-operation and patience on the roads this festive season.

CONTACT DETAILS

For all media enquiries/interviews or an update on the Safer Festive programme please contact:

Makhaya Mani
Spokesperson
Ministry and Department of Community Safety (including Provincial Traffic)
Western Cape Provincial Government
Cell: 082 780 4493