WATCH | Delay trips and snow chasing “prohibited”, says MEC

KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma has urged motorists to delay non-essential trips and prohibited “snow chasing” as snowfall causes hazardous driving conditions in parts of the province. The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) has activated its Snowfall Response Plan and closed several roads in areas affected by snow, including the R617 towards Kokstad. Duma said traffic on the R617 was being redirected to the R56 after a truck became stuck on the road at Kingscote.

Snowfall has also been reported in Kokstad, Underberg, Matatiele and around Clifton near Nottingham Road. “We are requesting motorists to delay their trips and members of the public to remain indoors, as prevention is better than cure,” Duma said. He commended RTI for swiftly implementing the province’s snowfall response plan, which includes closing roads where necessary to prevent motorists and people travelling to view the snow from becoming stranded.

Duma said snowfall chasers were prohibited from travelling to affected areas. The province’s snowfall response plan includes deploying graders to clear snow before it accumulates to more than 30cm. Duma said road conditions could also deteriorate as a result of freezing temperatures. “Our engineers have informed us that when water and ice seep into existing cracks on our roads and freeze, these cracks turn into large potholes,” he said.