East Cape’s own ‘highway to hell’ makes world list
N2 joins US, Siberia, Greece as ‘fear-factor’ road THE N2 between East London and Mthatha has been named as one of the world’s most dangerous roads by a website. The British website
, which sells rides in supercars and in monster trucks, named it in a list of hair-raising roads around the world. These include the Trans-Siberian Highway in Russia, which is also known at the Ice Road, the potholed Pedikaki Road in Greece, and Route 431 in the US, also known as the Highway to Hell.
It gave the stretch of the N2 in the Eastern Cape a “fear factor” rating of six out of 10. The Nairobi-Nakuru Highway is the only other African road mentioned on the website and it received seven out of 10.
The site listed the main hazards along the Wild Coast highway as “inconsiderate drivers, broken-down vehicles and roaming animals”, claiming that a “weird South African law” gives right of way to herders.
The N2’s notorious stretch between East London and Mthatha was named as one of South Africa’s most dangerous roads back in 2009, according to Arrive Alive and provincial traffic spokesman Tshepo Machaea.
He says the quality of the road is not at fault and lays the blame squarely on driver behaviour, saying speeding and overtaking on barrier lines are the cause of most accidents. Machaea says stray animals, including livestock and dogs, add to the problem.
Accidents along the winding Kei Cuttings between Komga and Butterworth are common, but Machaea says since surface improvements over the last two years, the Cuttings have become “not as notorious” and “not as bad as before”.
He says speeding is being controlled by traps, which are operated by traffic officers situated every 30km. “People are complaining about them, but we mean business”.
Machaea said stray cows and other livestock were also being impounded.
But East London technician Kevin Harris, who frequently uses the road for business, said he avoided driving along this stretch after dark so as to avoid stray animals.
“Also there are so many cars with no headlights or tail lights,” said Harris. “There is basically no observance of road rules and there are excessive speed and those are the killers on that road. And if it rains and the road is wet, I always pass at least one accident.”
Mthatha guesthouse manager Suegnet Lottering, of Kingfisher Lodge, advises guests to avoid driving between East London and Mthatha at night.
“It is not the road that’s the problem, but the drivers who use it. People don’t indicate and they overtake in dangerous areas.” Mosuli Guest House manager Sonwabile Maqutu says overloaded and speeding “Avanza taxis” are a major hazard.
Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency spokesman Veliswa Mhlope said the road being named one of the world’s worst would not affect tourism in the Wild Coast, although more high-accident zone signs could be provided. He believes the road is in “a decent state”.