BRACE for the busiest day on South African roads this YEAR

Authorities are on high alert and motorists should prepare for the busiest day on South African roads in 2023. And it’s all down to a rare conurbation of events all coming together at the same time. Let’s explain.

Friday 15 December 2023, is likely to go down as the busiest day on South African roads, certainly this year, and perhaps in recent memory. What you have is a rare trifecta of events to create potential bedlam on South African roads if left unchecked.

BUSIEST DAY ON SOUTH AFRICAN ROADS

In part, ironically enough, you can blame Siya Kolisi and the Boks for winning the Rugby World Cup, and President Cyril Ramaphosa giving in to a rare moment of euphoria and declaring a public holiday on Friday 15 December 2023.

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Then you factor in all schools – whether they’re public or private – wrapping up the year this week. And the fact that fuel prices have seen marked reductions in the last months, which’ll tempt motorists onto the roads more than usual. Factor all these together and tomorrow (Friday 15 December) will be the busiest day on South African roads. 

CONFIRMED WITH HISTORICAL DATA

SANRAL has historical data on the busiest day on South African roads and the organisation knows which roads will see the highest traffic volumes, too. If you’re going to be on any of these major thoroughfares tomorrow, please leave early, travel carefully and exercise caution.

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N1 TO BEITBRIDGE

The N1 toll road is going to be teaming with traffic this December heading North to the border. Foreign nationals heading back to Zimbabwe and holidaymakers en-route to Kruger and surrounds ensure the roads will be busy. If you plan to travel on the N1, leave early and build in time for traffic, accidents and toll roads.

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N3 TO DURBAN

Sadly, many beaches are out of bounds in Durban this December, but the N3 will still be one of South Africa’s busiest roads. Plenty of city dwellers almost make it a ritual to travel to KZN this time of year. There are toll-road back-ups and accidents aplenty on this route, so be careful. Or better still, consider a different destination entirely to miss the chaos if you’re looking for beach time.

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N4 TO MAPUTO

From North West, through to Gauteng, into Mpumalanga and beyond. The road connecting South Africa with Mozambique is a popular one for holidaymakers. Perhaps more so now with Durban beaches being closed. The border posts will be chaotic and there are frequent roadwork stops along the way on the N4. Leave as early as possible and allow plenty of times for disruptions.

According to SANRAL, if you really want a clean run to avoid the busiest day on South African roads this year, plan to drive on Christmas Day and/or Boxing Day. These are traditionally the lightest traffic days for travel in the year.

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