Limpopo N1 Kranskop toll plaza records more than 1 500 vehicles pass hourly

Ahead of the Easter long weekend, Minister of Transport Ms Barbara Creecy accompanied by the Limpopo provincial government, made a stop on Thursday 2 April at the N1 Kranskop Toll Plaza just about 100km outside Pretoria, Gauteng towards Modimolle-Mokgopong in Limpopo to conduct Easter road safety operation.

According to SANRAL, by 10:am the route had already been the busiest recording about 1 500 vehicles per hour moving towards Limpopo province before midday. The numbers are expected to increase as most people including Zion Christian Church (ZCC) members will be making their way to the church headquarters, Moria just outside Polokwane.

Minister Creecy hopes that fatalities will be reduced with the oversight campaign operation due to visibility of law enforcers. As part of the oversight, Minister conducted vehicle inspection including raising awareness about pedestrians that cross the highway when its prohibited.
“The N1 is the busiest route during easter, it requires attention of all emergency services to reduce crushes and fatalities. It is important that we conduct this oversight especially on the N1 towards Limpopo”. Said Creecy

The National Department of Transport has implemented three shifts running for 24 hours, these shifts will be complimented by special operation of alcohol testing with attention drawn to busses that will be carrying ZCC members and cross boarder buses, to ensure that drivers adhere to the South African road regulations.

Light vehicles and busses that passed the toll plaza were mostly travelling from Gauteng and Pretoria to Zimbabwe. Lovemore Mocheri who is one of the passengers, said, she preferred to leave earlier to avoid long queues at the Beitbridge boarder post as she was heading to Gweru town which is more than 300km from the Beitbridge.

On Wednesday 1 April on the same route, five people perished after two vehicles collided. Premier Dr Ramathuba has appealed to road users be more patient while exercising caution to the rules of the road. It has been established that human behavior contributes more than 80% to road accidents.

The N1 is expected to be one of the South African busiest routes until Monday, 6 April as thousands of ZCC members will be going back from their easter annual gathering in Moria.

Law enforcers will continue to be on high alert with zero tolerance towards those that will be travelling with unworthy road vehicles, speeding and non-compliance with road rules. EC