Festive influx puts pressure on Cape Town roads, motorists urged to plan and stay alert

As the bustling streets of Cape Town experience one of its busiest periods, Western Cape Government Traffic Management calls for patience and caution from motorists and pedestrians.

Chief Director Maxine Bezuidenhout says the December and January period puts immense pressure on the entire road network. 

“A lot of people are leaving [Cape Town] and a lot are coming in, so there is a lot of vehicle traffic at the moment, pedestrian traffic, and cyclists.”

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Bezuidenhout highlights the importance of courtesy and patience on the road, as well as planning.

Be more mindful of your actions, as it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure safety on the road.

“We’ve got the beautiful mountains, the beaches, and everybody wants to be out. But if you are going to the beaches, you are going to sit in traffic if you don’t plan well.”

She recommends pedestrians and cyclists wear brighter, more reflective clothing if they are out on the roads.

She also notes the uptake in opportunistic crime, advising road users to be vigilant, especially in hotspots near Century City.

RELATED: Cape Town ranked sixth most congested city in the world

To listen to Bezuidenhout in conversation with CapeTalk’s Saskia Falken (in for Pippa Hudson), click the audio player below: