Road conditions dangerous, be careful motorists urged

Drivers had to carefully manoeuvre their cars on roads flooded by heavy rains in Knysna. Image by: DESMOND SCHOLTZ

Motorists should be cautious as the extreme weather in some parts of the country have resulted in very dangerous road conditions, the Road Traffic Management Corporation said on Sunday.

The country has been gripped by freezing weather with rain and snowfall in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and the Free State.

Poor visibility, heavy rain and snowfall has seen disaster management teams having their hands full trying to assist motorists stuck on the roads.

Spokesman for the RTMC, Ashraf Ismail, said the N1 between Beaufort West and Richmond and the N12 between Beaufort West and Victoria West remained closed on Sunday because of the heavy snowfall.

"Graders have been brought in to remove the snow. However some of the snow has turned into ice because of the extreme cold. We urge caution on the roads."

Motorists who forced their way found themselves stuck and could not move.

Western Cape disaster management teams were trying to access them. Most spent the night in vehicles, he said.

"It will take some time before the snow clears.Travellers should be patient and wait at least until the weather subsides. They should follow a safe distance and always buckle up."

Most roads in the Eastern Cape remained closed because of flooding.

Return journeys on major roads will result in the increase in traffic volumes later today.

The increase in traffic is expected on the N1 between Polokwane and Pretoria, the N3 between Durban and Johannesburg and the N4 between Nelspruit and Pretoria.

- Times Live