 
MEDIA STATEMENT
KZN ROADS SNOWBOUNDHead of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport Dr. Kwazi Mbanjwa has called on motorists travelling on the province’s roads to adjust their driving habits to the prevailing weather conditions. Mbanjwa’s call comes after several roads in the province had to be closed due to severe snowfalls in the past 24 hours. The snowfalls coupled with rain and mist has also resulted in several road crashes. "We want to urge motorists to switch on their headlamps, reduce their speed and increase their following distances. We are currently conducting an assessment of the province to identify problem areas and deploy our resources accordingly. Drivers must decrease their speeds as slippery roads caused by rain and oil may cause them to loose control. However, whilst we will ensure the effective and efficient use of all our resources to ensure the safety of all road users, their ultimate safety lies in their own hands," Mbanjwa said. Mbanjwa has also appealed to the public to avoid visiting snow-hit areas as they stand the risk of getting stuck in the snow. Learners, especially in the rural and outlying areas must not be forgotten during these adverse weather conditions as some of them wake up early in the morning to leave home to begin their journey on foot to school whilst others have to make use of public transport to get to school on time. Motorists need to take cognisance of the fact that there are little bodies already on the road before sunrise so it is essential that headlamps are used during these crucial hours of the morning with misty conditions. The KZN Department of Transport has been encouraging motorists over the past months to drive with their headlamps switched on during the day in order to create more visibility for the benefit of motorists and pedestrians. Winter weather conditions are already causing significant inconvenience and are becoming hazardous if we continue to have snowfalls and the formation of ice on road surfaces. This has already affected the R617 from Ixopo to Underberg and at Kings Cote to Kokstad where there are several buses stranded. The R56 Matatiele Road has been closed to traffic and along both routes there are no suitable alternative routes. The N2, 20 kilometers before Kokstad is also at risk for driving conditions with the formation of sleet and ice on the road surface accompanied by snowfalls. Mist at times with zero visibility is being experienced throughout the province. This is when speed limits must be drastically reduced and motorists must ensure prior to travel that headlamps, brake lights, rear lights and windscreen wipers are fully functional at all times and more importantly that the de-mister is functioning to allow clear visibility during travel. In a collision caused by adverse weather today, the driver of a Toyota car lost control on water along the R34 between Dundee and Vryheid. His vehicle veered across the road and collided head on with a Toyota bakkie. The driver and his passenger were killed instantly while the driver of the bakkie was critically injured and taken to the Vryheid Hospital. For media interviews please contact Dr. Mbanjwa on 082 808 1736.
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