Local News
Chris Hani Roads See High Vehicle Counts During Morning Peak, Festive Season Warnings Issued
KOMANI, EASTERN CAPE – Traffic flow across key routes in the Chris Hani District Municipality showed notably high vehicle counts during the 10:00 to 11:00 window on Friday, December 12, 2025, coinciding with the official start of the school holidays and the beginning of the major festive season travel period. Authorities are reiterating calls for extreme caution as traffic volumes continue to swell.
Data collected from key vehicle reading points across the region indicates significant movement, with several routes recording hundreds of vehicles within the single hour.
| Road Section | Location | Vehicle Count (10:00 – 11:00) |
| N6/3 | Cathcart | 254 |
| N6/4 | Penhoek | 203 |
| R61/4 | Tarka | 330 |
| R61/5 | Cofimvaba | 5 |
| R67/5 | Whittlesea | 317 |
| R410/1 | Lady Frere | 213 |
| R392 | Dortrecht | 188 |
Focus on High-Volume Corridors
The R61/4 near Tarka recorded the highest single count with 330 vehicles, highlighting the R61’s status as a major regional artery. Similarly, the R67/5 near Whittlesea (317) and the N6/3 near Cathcart (254) saw heavy flow, confirming that key inland routes connecting travelers to the coast and other provinces are experiencing peak traffic.
Festive Season Safety Alert
The high traffic volumes align with warnings from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and the Eastern Cape Department of Transport (ECDoT) that major movement is expected as the school calendar ends today. Previous festive seasons have seen alarming surges in road fatalities in the Eastern Cape, with the N2 and R61 consistently identified as high-risk routes.
Authorities urge all motorists to practice patience, maintain safe following distances, and strictly adhere to all speed limits and road rules. Law enforcement has confirmed intensified, round-the-clock operations, including roadblocks and sobriety checks, to curb reckless driving and drunk driving—factors which have historically been the primary cause of fatal head-on collisions in the province.
Motorists are reminded to check their vehicles’ roadworthiness and be alert for adverse weather conditions, including possible severe thunderstorms predicted for parts of the Chris Hani District today.
