Burst Tyres, Illegal U-turns and Poor Visibility could compromise Road Safety
Burst tyres consistently remain one of the top five causes of accidents on the N4 toll route. The TRACassist and route patrol teams on the N4 toll road have already assisted almost 400 road users with tyre problems this year. It is of the utmost importance that your vehicle’s tyre pressure is checked regularly, a deflated tyre bursts easily. Worn tyres have limited grip, provides you with no protection and may cost you your life.
Another leading cause of accidents is negligent driving – getting impatient and taking risks on the road often lead to devastating effects. TRAC is particularly concerned about road users who make illegal u-turns on the N4 toll route. Never make a u-turn. Always travel to the next intersection and use the intersection if you have to turn around.
Some of the other main causes include speeding, losing control and falling asleep (especially long distance drivers).
It is helpful to bear the main causes of accidents in mind, and take the necessary precautionary measures to minimise the likelihood of causing accidents.
Thunderstorms, continuous rain and mist, especially in the highveld region, may cause poor visibility and dangerous driving conditions. Always lower your speed, switch you lights on, keep your following distance and remain patient in these conditions. Never try to pass vehicles in front of you when visibility is poor.
Trans African Concessions (TRAC), the toll concessionaire operating the N4 toll route, monitors and evaluates all accidents, and the causes of accidents, along the N4 in an effort to enhance road safety.
TRAC also offers a value added emergency, breakdown and rescue service, TRACassist, on the N4 between Pretoria and Komatipoort. This service is available and on stand by 24-hours a day, even on public holidays.
TRACassist already provided roadside assistance to almost 1600 road users between January and October. The majority needed help with mechanical problems or breakdowns and flat tyres.
The TRACassist team will help with any emergency along the N4 Toll Route. The basic call-out and support service is offered free. Should other independent service providers be required to provide more specialised services, those providers will charge for their service. TRAC understands that it can be a stressful and traumatic experience when your car breaks down along a highway or in an unknown area. The TRACassist team has deployed to assist road users with any emergency, and to remain with them until they cam move again, or the emergency has been sorted out.
Call TRACassist during emergencies, when in distress, or to report hazardous incidents, stray animals, and more: 0800 TRAC N4 (0800 8722 64)
Expected peak traffic days
The following peak traffic days are expected:
December 04, 2009
December 11, 2009
December 14, 15 & 16, 2009
December 24, 2009
January 03, 2010
ROAD CONSTRUCTION
UPGRADING
Belfast to Wonderfontein
Construction is nearing completion (expected end January 2010) despite rain having caused some delays. The full riding surface should be trafficable by the start of the December holiday period.
Speed restrictions from 60-80km/h to 100km/h still apply along certain portions of this section.
Nelspruit’s Northern Bypass (Ring Road)
Primary construction of the first 19km section of the Nelspruit Northern Bypass is progressing well.
The new N4 bypass will branch off at Mataffin (just east of Cairn) skirt Riverside Mall, bridge the R40 and the Crocodile river and continue through to Karino where it will rejoin the N4 on the eastbound side.
The initial phase will provide a single carriageway in both directions. All contractors are on programme to complete the work before June 2010.
REHABILITATION
Expect delays when traveling towards Maputo
Matola-Maputo
A contract was awarded to rehabilitate this section of the road. Work will take approximately 5 months to complete. Traffic delays will be experienced during this time due to the very high traffic volumes. Weekly information updates on Radio Cidade advises road users about work hours and progress. The contractor is planning to work up to the 23rd of December 2009, and will commence work by the 5th of January 2010.
Montrose – Nelspruit
Rehabilitation of this section of the road will only commence after the 2010 World Cup (around September). The road surface will also be repainted to provide more traffic capacity.
SAPPI area
Rehabilitation work and an asphalt overlay are planned for the section of the N4 Toll Route near the Sappi plant in Ngodwana. Work is expected to commence by September 2010.
MAINTENANCE
Middelburg to Wonderfontein
Repairs to the gravel shoulder along this section are underway and will continue for the next few months.
Schoemanskloof (De Beers Nek – N4-6Y 20.0 East)
The concrete retainer wall, damaged by a previous rock slide, was repaired, but the area above the wall remains unstable. A gabion wall (wire mesh baskets filled with rocks) was erected behind the concrete wall to prevent further damage if the hillside should collapse. As expected, the recent wet weather caused some big rocks to roll down the mountain side, but the gabion wall effectively stopped the material from spilling onto the road.
Bush clearing
Bush is being cleared in the Schoemanskloof and Elandskloof (Ngodwana) areas, as well as in the section between Montrose and Nelspruit.
Road Marking
Road markings west of Witbank were re-done. TRAC also assisted the state by re-painting the Komatipoort border.
Road markings west of Witbank were re-painted. TRAC also assisted the State by re-painting the Komatipoort border. Re-painting of the section between Montrose and Nelspruit will start this week (November 23), weather permitting, and should be completed by the beginning of December 2009.
No construction, upgrading, rehabilitation or maintenance work will be undertaken between December 16, 2009 and January 04, 2010 except between Matola and Maputo where the contractor will work until December 23, 2009.
…/ends
Issued by: Trans African Concessions
Date: December 01, 2009