Following the loss of five lives in a Roadlink bus crash in the Free State early this morning, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has requested that all provincial and metropolitan traffic police departments provide evidence of Roadlink buses, in particular, that have been discontinued, impounded or involved in crashes in the last five years in their jurisdiction.
They have also been requested to include any notices issued for any contraventions committed by the driver and/or the operator in terms of driver fitness, vehicle fitness and and/or moving violations.
According to Free State traffic officials the crash occurred at around 04h45 this morning when a Roadlink bus travelling from Cape Town towards Mangaung veered off the road and overturned on the N1 about 30 kms from Gariep towards Springfontein.
As part of its special accident investigations, the RTMC would like to determine when last this bus was inspected for roadworthiness, whether a relief driver was on board, the rest stops that were taken along the route, the driver’s track record as well as the offence record of the company in proportion to the number of buses in the fleet.
The intention is to determine the safety record of the bus company and take appropriate action where necessary.
"We cannot allow our vulnerable, paying road users to be held at ransom by operators whose safety record is wanting. We should not accept the burying of mass victims on a weekly basis as a norm," said Mr. Collins Letsoalo, Acting CEO of the RTMC.
Members of the public are requested to report any unsafe incidences experienced on Roadlink or any other bus company to 0861 400 800
Traffic authorities will continue the checkpoints at weighbridges, tollgates, bus depots and train stations for all long distance and luxury coaches as part of the National Rolling Enforcement Plan.
Enquiries:
Ashref Ismail
Cell: 071 680 3448
E-mail: Ashrefi@rtmc.co.za
