Cape Town – The Huguenot Tunnel has recorded slightly less traffic volumes this past Easter weekend, reaching 63 142 vehicles compared to last year’s count of 64 314.
Preliminary reports indicating fewer fatalities on Western Cape roads as recorded by the Freeway Management System (FMS), which monitors just over 160km of freeways across the province, are most encouraging.
Randall Cable, Western Region Manager of the SANRAL, said: “If we can start to see improved road user behaviour, combined with an environment more conducive to compliance, we could see further reductions in serious and fatal crashes on our roads, even during peak travel times.”
The Thursday before Good Friday typically sees the highest peak in traffic through the tunnel, with 22 504 vehicles recorded this year, of which 14 747 were headed out of Cape Town and 7 757 inbound.
The same time last year saw 23 419 vehicles pass through the toll plaza.
On Easter Monday, we generally expect the next peak, and this year was no different, with 19 593 vehicles recorded, of which 14 403 vehicles were headed home to Cape Town and 5 190 being outbound.
This was slightly up from last year’s count of 19303. The average vehicle count per hour was 816.
“SANRAL extends condolences to the families who have lost loved ones on our road this past weekend. May they be comforted during this difficult time. Together we can reduce the carnage on our roads. Let us commit to doing better,” said Cable.
Earlier this week, transport and traffic officials said they noticed a pleasing decrease in traffic incidents over the Easter weekend, despite still recording several fatalities and car crashes.
Transport and Public Works MEC Daylin Mitchell said: “Seat belts save lives, and the law requires that all vehicle occupants wear an appropriate seat belt. Wearing seat belts reduces the risk of death in motor vehicle crashes by up to 45%. Seat belts prevent 99% of occupants from being ejected in a crash.”
Alongside encouraging motorists to buckle up, the Western Cape’s traffic officials continued with their structured enforcement interventions supported by road safety education, communication, and awareness programmes to positively influence road users to act responsibly while on the road.
“We experienced traffic volumes as expected, with the peak traffic starting from Thursday afternoon going into the evening as the exodus started. Friday people still made their way to weekend destinations and on Sunday as the traditional weekend ended.”
Mitchell said the department recorded only one major incident, a crash on the N1 between Leeu Gamka and Beaufort West.