Avoid these roads during the winter school holidays.
The winter school holidays are upon us in a matter of weeks and a lot of us are planning on going away for some family fun. The problem is that whenever the roads get busy, it tends to get a bit dangerous. We’ve broken the top 20 most dangerous roads according to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) by province to help you plot your route.
Because we’re helpful like that. And we want you to be safe.
The most dangerous roads in the Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape boasts various inland wonders and coastal delights. It also has 4 of the worst stretches of road in the Eastern Cape from the RTMC’s top 20 list.
· N2 from East London to Mthatha
Ranked 1st and frequently called South Africa’s ‘highway to hell’ for good reason.
· N2 from Mthatha to Kokstad
Ranked 2nd and known for a deadly road due to animals on the road, high traffic volumes, and negligent driving which have caused 77 deaths over a 12-month period.
· R61 from Port St. Johns to Bizana
Ranked 12th due to the fact that this 148km drive is reportedly quite busy with holidaymakers and the risk of animals on the road.
· N2 from King Williams Town to East London
In spite of being short, this road comes in at 14th place due to the risk of cattle on the road and various unofficial side roads entering the highway.
· R61 from Queenstown to Mthatha
Identified as hazardous by the RTMC due to the high number of fatalities, which are largely the result of negligent driving, weather conditions (heavy mist), and animals on the road.
The most dangerous roads in KZN
The beaches, the mountain hiking opportunities, and sunny climes (even in winter it can be quite charming)… But according to the RTMC’s top 20 list, there are also two terrible roads that you should be wary of in KZN.
· N2 from Mthatha to Kokstad
Given that 72 deaths were recorded on this road in 1 year, this stretch ranks 2nd and because Kokstad falls in KZN, it makes the list for both KZA and the Eastern Cape.
· N2 from Durban to Tongaat
Ranked 6th, which is hardly surprising given that in a single year, 42 deaths were recorded.
The most dangerous roads in Limpopo
Named for the Limpopo River, this province is home to some of the most magical nooks to explore, like the lush forested area known as The Land of the Silver Mist… But there are also a few dangerous roads.
· N1 from Mokopane to Polokwane
This road ranks 3rd due to the incredibly high number of road accidents and fatalities.
· N2 from Polokwane to Makhado
As the longest national road with a high number of road accident claims and deaths, it’s not surprising that this road ranks 4th.
· N1 from Naboomspruit to Mokopane
Ranked 9th due to the fact that accidents are regularly reported on this stretch.
· R71 from Polokwane to Tzaneen
Ranked 10th because on this 94.9km stretch of road the RTMC reported a high number of road accidents claims.
· R40 from Hazyview to Hoedspruit
Coming in at number 11, this road makes the list for Limpopo because the route ends in Hoedspruit.
· R573 Moloto Road
Formerly called a road of death before major upgrades started in 2016, motorists now have a habit of disobeying traffic calming measures which has caused many accidents and put this road in 18th position.
The most dangerous roads in Mpumalanga
Home to the world-famous Kruger National park, Mpumalanga is a beautiful and fascinating place to visit. There are also quite a few dangerous roads that you need to be careful on.
· N4 from Middelberg to Belfast
46 deaths were recorded in a single year, causing this long road to earn 5th place out of 20.
· N12 from Springs to Witbank
This length of road ranks 7th because of the high number of deaths (39 in 2011 alone), which have largely been attributed to human error.
· R573 from Pretoria to Kwamlhanga
Ranked 8th due to the shockingly high total of deaths on this relatively short trip of around 93,8km.
· N4 from Waterval Boven to Nelspruit
There’s a steep pass on this stretch, coupled with ongoing roadworks that have caused enough accidents for this road to rank 17th.
· R573 Moloto Road
This super long road is in 18th position. It’s known for being busy with taxis and buses, and prior to the upgrades there were few overtaking opportunities (now improved), which saw (and still sees) many accidents as a result of human error.
· N17 from Leandra to Ermelo
With high volumes of mining trucks and other traffic, this road ranks 20th on the list for the number of accidents and fatalities that occur.
The most dangerous roads in the Free State
People have a habit of overlooking this part of the country, but it’s well worth the trip to discover flat grassland and farmlands, which transform into increasingly green scenery pastures and mountains as you head east. There’s also a road that you should be extra careful on.
· N3 from Warden – Villiers
This stretch has high traffic volumes (especially with trucks and buses) and ranks 16th as a result of the number of road accident claims and accidents.
The most dangerous roads in the North West
Head to the North West and explore South Africa’s most popular national park, some of our oldest archeological sites, and plenty of gems in between. You’ll also want to mind how you drive on 1 particular piece of road, though.
· N14 from Coligny to Biesiesvlei
Although it only ranks 19th and is just 47,1km long, the road is reportedly not in the best condition and can be a bit hazardous as a result.
The most dangerous roads in Gauteng
Gauteng is home to diverse cultural, culinary, and scenic experiences. It’s also known for traffic congestion, so it’s wise to be careful wherever you are. In particular, though, these are the roads the RTMC considers especially dangerous.
· N12 from Springs to Witbank
This length of road ranks 7th because of the high number of deaths, which have largely been reported as a result of weather condition (mist in particular) and human error (speeding and dangerous overtaking).
· R573 from Pretoria to Kwamhlanga
This stretch of 93,8km makes the list at 8th position due to the shockingly high total of deaths, which is often caused by high traffic volumes and negligent driving.
· R573 Moloto Road
This road connects Gauteng with Limpopo and Mpumalanga, so it’s hardly surprising that such a long stretch, which has also been under construction since 2016, would rank 18th.
The most dangerous roads in the Western Cape
The sea, the mountains, the markets, the food, and the general vibe… These are just a few things why everyone wants to visit Cape Town. Just be wary while driving around, especially on this road that the RTMC has identified.
· N2 from Cape Town to Somerset West
In spite of only measuring 45,5km, this road ranks 13th due to the number of fatal crashes which are mostly the result of human error and high traffic volumes.
You certainly shouldn’t be fearful when driving across our beautiful country, but you should be aware of where accidents tend to occur. This way you can be watchful while driving or plan an alternative route.
While you’re preparing for your trip, it’s also important to make sure that you have adequate car insurance. For instance, some insurers, like King Price, give you access to roadside assist and medical assist with their comprehensive policies. This way if you’re stuck, their royal guard will help you with mechanical or electrical breakdowns, and even accommodation for the night if you’ve broken down more than 100kms from home. And with medical assistance, you’ll be helped with emergency ambulance transport that could save your life.
If you want a super cheap quote online in a few minutes, just click here or you can talk to 1 of their consultants by calling 0860 50 50 50.