Heavy Traffic, Heavier Rains: A Crucial Warning for Holiday Road Trips

The great December migration is underway. Across South Africa, thousands of families are piling into cars, heading for coastlines and hometowns. But this year, the festive journey comes with a dual challenge: swelling traffic volumes and unpredictable, severe weather.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has issued a stern call for caution, urging motorists to adjust their driving for congested roads and heavy rainfall affecting many parts of the country.

The Double Threat: Weather and Volume

RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane emphasised the immediate danger of the conditions. “Motorists are advised to delay their trips when they encounter heavy rain and desist from crossing flooded bridges,” he warned. With traffic officers deployed to key routes, cooperation with authorities is paramount for everyone’s safety.

The congestion is already building, particularly on major arteries like the N3 towards KwaZulu-Natal. This surge transforms long drives into tests of patience and alertness. Zwane reiterated the basics: extreme caution, patience, and strict respect for road rules. Pedestrians, too, must play their part by using bridges and staying clear of busy highways.

The Silent Killer: Single-Vehicle Crashes

Beyond the weather, a more subtle danger dominates the statistics. Data from the N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) reveals a disturbing trend: the majority of crashes on this crucial route are single-vehicle incidents.

Thania Dhoogra, N3TC’s chief operating officer, shared that a striking 60% of crashes this year involved only one vehicle. These are not collisions with other cars, but often devastating run-offs, rollovers, or impacts with barriers. The cause? Primarily speeding, driver fatigue, and distractionfactors that become deadly amplifiers when mixed with holiday stress, unfamiliar journeys, and increased traffic.

Navigating the Journey Safely

The message from authorities is unified and clear. This festive season demands a defensive, mindful approach to driving:

• Respect the Rain: Reduce speed significantly, increase following distance, and never attempt to cross a flooded road.

• Conquer Fatigue: Plan your trip with ample rest stops. Share the driving if possible. Recognise the signs of tiredness.

• Eliminate Distraction: Put the phone away. Pre-set your GPS. Keep the focus entirely on the road.

• Embrace Patience: Accept that delays are part of the journey. Aggression and frustration lead to poor decisions.

The festive spirit should be one of joy and reunion, not marred by tragedy on the road. By heeding these warningsslowing down, staying alert, and respecting the formidable combination of weather and trafficwe can all help ensure that the only thing we bring home for the holidays are good memories. Drive as if everyone you love is in the car with you, because on these busy roads, they might as well be.