Wet and windy conditions are set to make driving over the Easter long weekend even more perilous, Arrive Alive said on Thursday.
Spokesperson Wendy Watson said traffic was expected to increase on all major routes as worshippers and holiday makers made their way to various destinations.
”We are expecting traffic volumes to start picking up from tomorrow [Friday] about noon until 10pm and from 6am until noon on Saturday,” she said.
She warned, however, that poor driving conditions could make things more difficult.
”We have experienced rainy weather over the past few days and are appealing to motorists to avoid driving at night as visibility is poorer due to the bad weather conditions,” Watson said.
The SA Weather Bureau forecast partly cloudy conditions and scattered thundershowers over much of the country for the Easter weekend.
”A cold front with its associated sharp upper trough is approaching the country and is expected to make landfall tomorrow [Friday]” said its website.
It continued: ”This system will cause cold, windy and wet conditions in the west, spreading eastward over the southern interior on Saturday and Sunday.
”Rain is expected along the north-eastern escarpment during most of next week. Tropical lows over Zimbabwe and Botswana on Tuesday will migrate slightly southward to Limpopo Province and Mpumalanga where there is a likelihood of rain during Election Day, April 14.”
Arrive Alive specifically warned motorists travelling on N1 towards Moria City in Limpopo, the N3 between Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, the N4 between Gauteng and Mpumalanga the N1 towards the Western and Eastern Cape and the N2 from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape to take special care. – Sapa