/ 20 March 2008

Easter traffic clogs highways

Traffic authorities are out in full force on the N1 highway to Limpopo as thousands of faithful head to the Zion Christian Church's headquarters of Moria for the Easter gathering, the traffic department said on Thursday. Spokesperson Ntau Letebele said traffic officials were pulling out all the stops to prevent road accidents.

Traffic authorities are out in full force on the N1 highway to Limpopo as thousands of faithful head to the Zion Christian Church’s headquarters of Moria for the Easter gathering, the traffic department said on Thursday.

Spokesperson Ntau Letebele said traffic officials were pulling out all the stops to prevent road accidents and that the police’s presence had been increased on national roads.

He said police were pulling over and inspecting vehicles, especially taxis and buses on the N1.

”We expect traffic to remain high until midnight and to pick up again from 6am until midday on Friday. Cars travelling on the N1 have exceeded 2 000 per hour,” said Letebele.

He warned travellers to expect delays, especially at toll gates.

”Police have also issued several speeding fines on the N1. Travellers must know that they will not escape the full might of the law where police are stationed,” he said.

Meanwhile in KwaZulu-Natal, 1 718 cars were travelling into the province per hour and 1 400 cars moving out of the province, said Road Traffic Inspectorate spokesperson Zinhle Mngomezulu.

”We are experiencing a high volume, especially with cars coming into the province. But no major incidents have been reported,” she said. – Sapa