​Rofhiwa Marubini​
The Gauteng Traffic Police have urged road users to exercise care and caution this Heritage long weekend.
Heavy congestion is expected on roads exiting and leading to Gauteng from Thursday and again on Sunday as holidaymakers travel to spend time with their families.
Congestions are expected on the N3 Johannesburg to Durban, N12 Johannesburg to Potchefstroom, N1 Pretoria to Polokwane, N4 Pretoria to Rustenburg and the N4 Pretoria to Mpumalanga. 
The police said they will be on high alert to save the lives of road users.
Spokesperson Sello Maremane said they will lead a series of road safety activations and operations in various crime hotspots as part of the Road Safety programme.
Road safety is the responsibility of every road user.
He advised motorists to follow the road safety tips, such as conducting a pre-trip inspection on their vehicle to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy.
Maremane warned that robbers might also be looking to take advantage of the long weekend.
"Motorists should be on the lookout for people putting spikes or other objects on the road with the intention of robbing them." 
Motorcyclists must refrain from overtaking any vehicle where it might be potentially dangerous to do so. 
Pedestrians are urged to wear visible clothing at night as they remain vulnerable especially on freeways and should avoid walking on the roads while intoxicated.
Last year statistics showed that between 22 September and 28 September 2020, 49 people lost their lives on Gauteng roads. 
Moremane said the statistics are highly regrettable and were caused by things that could have been avoided. 
"Many road fatalities were as a result of unsafe overtaking, overspeeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and general disregard of the rules of the road or road traffic sign amongst others," added Maremane.​