If you’re travelling to or from Port Elizabeth this festive season, knowing what to expect could make your journey just a bit easier. Here’s a list of the expected peak travel times over the December 2015 to January 2016 period.
That’s why the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) advises road users of the expected peak travel times over the December 2015 to January 2016 period.
- For road users travelling on the N2 Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, the N2 through Sir Lowry’s Pass and Bot River will be free-flowing with periods of increased travel volumes, but no extreme volumes are expected. The N2 to Caledon will likely have high traffic volumes on December 11 and from December 31 to 4 January. Traffic is expected to reduce into January, and then become increasingly busy from January 7-13.
- Those travelling on the N2 to Somerset West will likely experience high to very high traffic volumes on December 6, 13, 20 and 23, as well as December 26 to January 4 and January 7-10.
- When travelling to Grabouw you will likely have high traffic volumes on January 2 and 3. It is expected that the N2 through Groot Brak and the Van Staden’s interchange will be free-flowing for the whole of December and January.
- Road users travelling on the N2 Port Elizabeth to Durban, the N2 at Grahamstown West, the N2 south of Kokstad, the N2 to Port Elizabeth, the N2 at Hibberdene and the N2 at Mthatha South to Umtata are expected to be free-flowing for the duration of the festive season.
- The N2 to East London will likely be free-flowing with increased traffic volumes likely from today and particularly on December 24, 28 and 31, and also January 4, 7 and 8 January and January 11-13.
- The N2 Marburg to Port Shepstone will likely experience high traffic volumes today, until December 11, on December 14 and 15, December, 17 to 24, December 27 to January 1, January 7-8 and January 11-13.
- The N2 Marburg to Harding will likely experience high traffic volumes today, until December 11, December 17-19 December, and 21-24, as well as January 1, 7 and 8, and January 11-13.
- The N2 to Durban will likely see increased traffic volumes on December 26 and 27, as well as on the N2 to Port Shepstone on December 24 and 26.
- The N10 Port Elizabeth to Colesberg will likely be free-flowing all the way through December and January.
Sanral spokesman Vusi Mona said these were the expected peak travel times barring any unforeseen major traffic incidents or weather conditions. The information is based on historical data and traffic modelling.
The automated pay system on Sanral’s toll roads became operational on December 4. Road users with electronic tags will no longer have to stop to pay.
“Automated payment makes it much easier for motorists who undertake long distance journeys,” said Mona.
“They will not have to wait in queues at toll plazas or pay cash at the booms. It will reduce travel time and result in safer and more enjoyable road journeys.”
Sanral also calls on road users to follow important safety tips when they take to the country’s main roads during the festive season.
“The main message is to remember that a road is a shared space and that you should be respectful towards tour fellow road users,” Mona said.
Speed limits are clearly indicated on the 21451km of roads managed by Sanral in all nine provinces.
“These are maximum limits and drivers should adjust their speed according to conditions such as rain or visibility,” Mona said.
Road users are encouraged to take a break during long distance journeys to prevent fatigue and lack of concentration.
Report incidents to either the South African Police Services (10111) or the National Traffic Call Centre (NTCC) on (012) 665-6075.
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