The festive season is once again upon us. This is a time of the year where everyone should be taking time out to spend with their loved ones and creating happy memories that will stay with them long after the season has ended. It should not be a time of sorrow marred by vehicle crashes or road fatalities while travelling to your holiday destination.
Charmaine van Wyk of Bakwena Platinum Corridor Concessionaire urges motorists to abide by the rules of the road, adhere to the speed limits, be extra cautious, and alert when approaching busy intersections and areas of high traffic volumes. Avoid unsafe overtaking,
Van Wyk encourages motorists to plan their journey ahead of time and try to avoid travelling in the peak periods. Ensure your planning includes sufficient time to stop and take a break at least every two hours or after travelling for 200km during your journey. Driver fatigue occurs when motorists have not had enough time to rest before embarking on a long journey and potentially could lead to crashes and fatalities.
As part of our continued commitment to Road Safety and ensuring our road users have a safe and pleasant trip along our route over the festive season, Bakwena has again partnered with Motus Corporation and Hyundai South Africa for 6 patrolling vehicles to be added to our existing route patrols on the N1N4 route. These 6 vehicles were handed over on Wednesday, 5th December 2018 and will effectively assist with visible policing, crash assistance, route surveillance as well as assist motorists who find themselves in distress while travelling the N1N4 toll route.
Van Wyk has the following safety tips for road users:
- Ensure your vehicle is roadworthy before your trip and your services are up to date to avoid unnecessary breakdowns
- Plan your journey to avoid travelling in the peak period.
- Peak periods are expected on N1 north & N4 west on the 14th, 21st, 22nd, 24th & 31st December 2018 between 12H00 till 20H00 and on the N1 south & N4 east on the 2nd & 6th January 2019 between 12H00 till 20H00
- During busy periods, Bakwena will ensure that all lanes at our plazas are open in the peak direction.
- Maintain a safe following distance of at least 3 seconds or more between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. This distance should be increased at times of low visibility and when the road is wet.
Stick to the speed limit
- Do not drink and drive, this is one of the leading major causes contributing to crashes in South Africa
- Avoid texting and driving, leave the texting in the hands of your passengers
- Remember to stop and take a break at least every 2 hours
- Be cautious and do not stop along the side of the road unless you are faced with an emergency
- If faced with an emergency while travelling the N1N4 route, the number to dial is 0800 BAKWENA / 0800 2259362, use the information on the blue km board markers to identify your location when requesting assistance or reporting incidents
- Invest in an e-tag for a quick, convenient and pleasant tolling experience. Having an e- tag is a fast and convenient method to pay your toll fees.
Bakwena would like to take this opportunity to wish our road users and their families a safe and happy holiday season.