Trouble-free holiday journey expected on N1

The N1 freeway between Gauteng and Cape Town is in good condition and travellers will not experience any unnecessary delays caused by roadworks during the festive season.

Vusi Mona, the Head of Communications of the South African National Roads Agency, says there are no major construction activities under way on the artery that runs from Musina on the northern border with Limpopo to the Western Cape - a distance of more than 1 900km.

"As a result, our engineers have rated the route's expected condition as fair to good barring any unforeseen major traffic incidents or weather conditions," says Mona.

There is construction activity taking place on a 28km section across the Hex River near De Doorns, but the stop-and-go has been suspended for the festive season. The work done on the Bridal Veil Overpass near the Allandale interchange in Johannesburg will be completed over the weekend and will not cause any disruptions to traffic from Monday.

Mona advises travellers that the northern section - from the Orange River to Rawsonville is a single carriageway road but it turns into a double lane freeway leading into Cape Town.

The automated pay system on Sanral's toll roads will become operational on 4 December. Road users with electronic tags will no longer have to stop at participating toll plazas including Grasmere, Vaal, Verkeerdevlei and Brandfort on the N1/R30 south.

To the north of Pretoria automated toll plazas will offer alternative payment options to travellers at the Capricorn, Kranskop, Nyl, Sebetiela and Baobab toll plazas.

"Automated payment makes it much easier for motorists who undertake long distance journeys," says 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."

Speed limits are clearly indicated on the 21 451 km 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," says Mona.

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. Traffic disruptions or crashes on the N1 in Gauteng should be reported to 0800 487 233.