Road safety is both attitude and intent:  Arm yourself with information and drive with purpose. 

Road safety involves a combination of knowledge, awareness, preparation and proactive decision-making. Being aware of the risks on the road, anticipating potential hazards, unexpected situations, and emergencies, and having strategies to counter these can make a significant difference to a driver’s ability to avoid crashes, and improve their general safety and security on the road.

“Driving safely is both an attitude, and a matter of intention,” says Thania Dhoogra, chief operating officer of N3 Toll Concession (N3TC). “Mastering safe driving skills, maintaining focus, being courteous, following the rules of the road, remaining calm and vigilant, staying informed of route- and travel conditions, and maintaining one’s vehicle in good condition are some simple game changers when it comes to road safety.”

N3TC manages the 415km N3 Toll Route, between Cedara in KwaZulu-Natal and Heidelberg in Gauteng. “We take all possible steps to provide our road users with a safe and convenient route to travel on, through ongoing routine road maintenance and periodic road upgrades and expansions.”

The entirety of the N3 route is continuously monitored by N3TC’s Route Incident Management teams who are on the lookout for potential problems that may require attention. N3TC’s Route Services teams also respond to crashes and other emergencies on the N3 Toll Route, assist with crash scene safety, and monitor weather-, route-, and traffic conditions. They are in direct contact with N3TC’s Route Control Centre (RCC) from where all emergencies on the N3 Toll Route are managed, and verified route and traffic data is shared with road users. Road users can tap into this essential information centre by contacting the 24-hour N3 Helpline 0800 63 43 57 or by following @N3Route on X.

Traffic data is an important indicator of driver behaviour and safety performance

N3TC collates and interrogates crash data to form comprehensive insights into possible areas of concern and help road users make safer choices. By making a few simple adjustments, drivers and their passengers can help to improve road safety for everyone. “It is incumbent on each one of us to share the road responsibly,” reiterates Ms Dhoogra.

564 crashes were reported on the N3 Toll Route between January and June 2024. The majority of these (80.7%) occurred in clear weather. The statistics indicate that more crashes occur during the day (53.7%), however night-time crashes tend to be far more serious.

Of concern, is that the crashes recorded thus far in 2024 are more severe than those recorded during the same period in 2023. 9% more fatal crashes and 46% more serious crashes were reported this year compared to last year.

Human error contributed to 76% of light motor vehicle crashes in 2024 and 83% of heavy motor vehicles. The majority of these crashes involved single vehicles where their drivers lost control of their vehicles. This is most likely the result of reckless and negligent driving, speeding, driver distraction, and/or fatigue.

‘Objects in the road’

Other major contributory factors to crashes included ‘objects in the road’ and vehicle mechanical failures.

Although human factors such as reckless and negligent driving pose significant road safety risks, the dangers of littering and debris on the road are often underestimated.

Owners (and drivers) are responsible for maintaining their vehicles and ensuring that their cargo is properly secured; failure to do so may lead to tyre blowouts, brake failures, and the creation of road hazards.

“Despite our continuous monitoring of the N3 Toll Route, it is impossible to be everywhere at once. We, therefore, appeal to all road users to help us and themselves by reporting any breakdown, or emergency, particularly those which have resulted in objects littering the roadway, or when they spot objects on the road,” says Ms Dhoogra. “Immediately contact the N3 Helpline on 0800 63 43 57 and provide the operator with the nearest blue kilometer marker board location, and a description of the closest landmark and the object being reported. The N3TC Route Services teams will be dispatched to secure the site as a matter of urgency.”

Women’s Day Long Weekend: Traffic Forecast

The N3 Toll Route is expected to carry higher than usual traffic volumes when a mix of freight traffic, public transport vehicles, and leisure travelers simultaneously share the road this weekend.

Southbound traffic (towards Durban) is expected to increase from around midday on Thursday, 08 August 2024, with busy conditions expected to continue between 14:00 and 18:00, and again from early on Friday morning until noon.

Northbound traffic (towards Gauteng) is likely to increase from 11:00 on Sunday, 11 August 2024, with high volumes expected between 15:00 and 18:00. Busy conditions may prevail until approximately 20:00 on Sunday night.

Improving safety, convenience, and mobility

Toll plazas on the N3 Toll Route will operate at maximum capacity during peak hours. Convenient payment options (such as tags and tap and go) speed up the transit of vehicles in toll lanes which in turn assists to minimise congestion and delays at the toll plazas.

Furthermore, N3TC’s Route Services and their road incident management system (RIMS) partners are fully deployed to provide vital emergency and incident management services. Road users should expect strict law enforcement; vehicle roadworthy checks; public transport compliance initiatives; random alcohol and drug screening tests; and pedestrian safety checks to be conducted throughout the weekend. 

Travel conditions may change rapidly along the N3 Toll Route

Motorists are warned that high winds, freezing temperatures, sleet, snow, or veld fires could be encountered during the winter months along most parts of the route resulting in treacherous driving conditions. The N3 Toll Route is also prone to mist and thick fog at night and early mornings which may compromise visibility and contribute to dangerous driving conditions.

Stay informed and be prepared for any eventuality

Contact the N3 Helpline on 0800 63 43 57 or follow @N3Route on X for real-time, verified traffic information, to report problems or to obtain swift emergency assistance between Cedara in KwaZulu-Natal and Heidelberg in Gauteng. “N3TC and its road safety partners will do their utmost to help keep you safe, but please play your part by driving defensively and following traffic rules. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey with us,” ends Ms Dhoogra.

ENDS.