The M7 highway in Durban (particularly the section towards the Bluff near the N2 interchange) is indeed notorious for frequent and often severe truck-related accidents.
Why it’s considered dangerous
- Steep downhill gradient: Trucks coming down the M7 towards the Bluff/N2 often lose control due to brake failure, overheating, or excessive speed. This has been a recurring pattern for years.
- Long-haul truck issues: Many incidents involve heavy trucks (sometimes from as far as Zambia’s Copperbelt) arriving with compromised brakes after long descents elsewhere (e.g., Van Reenen, Town Hill). Risky practices like “Zambian gear” (coasting in neutral) are sometimes mentioned.
- High traffic area: The interchange with the N2 is busy, and crashes often block lanes, cause major delays, fuel spills, and secondary collisions.
Recent examples (2026)
- April 29, 2026: A truck (carrying copper plates) lost control, collided with multiple vehicles, overturned, and landed on a car near the N2 interchange. A woman in her 50s was killed; others were injured. Jaws of Life were used for rescues.
- Early June 2026 (or late May): Dashcam footage showed a truck barreling into a fuel tanker on the M7, causing injuries and a major diesel spill. Locals were seen looting the spilled fuel in at least one similar incident.
- March 2026: One person killed in a two-truck crash before the Bellville off-ramp.
- Multiple other truck collisions, pile-ups, and spills have been reported in recent months, with officials promising action.
Older incidents follow the same pattern, with trucks rear-ending vehicles or losing control at the bottom of the hill.
Public and official reaction
Locals and drivers frequently call the M7 a “death trap,” especially for the downhill section. Calls for better enforcement (speed limits, truck lane restrictions, heavier fines on operators), improved brake checks for long-haul trucks, and infrastructure fixes have been ongoing.
If you’re driving there, exercise extra caution — keep distance from heavy vehicles, especially on the descent, and stay alert for sudden slowdowns or erratic truck behaviour. For the latest incidents, check local sources like Arrive Alive, SABC News, or Durban traffic updates.
