In a month that saw 69 people lose their lives in 15 major crashes around the country, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has once again raised its concern at the high level of dangerous driving practiced by South African motorists. According to preliminary investigations, human factor played a major role in 80% of the high profile crashes recorded by the RTMC’s Special Accident Investigators.
This past week alone eight people died near Butterworth, in the Eastern Cape, when two vehicles were involved in a head-on collision on Monday. In North West province, on the same day, between Derby and Boons, a crash involving two vehicles resulted in six fatalities. A further six people died when a vehicle drove off a bridge near Oranjeville, in the Free State province.
On Thursday, seven people died and seven injured when a light delivery van overturned in the Eastern Cape province. Six people died on Saturday, in Durban, when they lost control of their vehicle and three school children lost their lives and 59 injured in the Eastern Cape province when the school bus they were travelling in lost control.
The preliminary investigations reveal the contributory factors of the above crashes as:
- inappropriate and excessive speeds too high for circumstances that include night-time driving, rural roads and when carrying passengers
- drinking and driving and
- vehicle defects, particularly, tyre failure that results in loss of control.
Vehicle fitness is critical in ensuring the safety of the occupants as well as that of other roads users. Motorists are advised to avoid fitting second-hand, sub-standard tyres that have been dumped on our shores and which are unsuitable for the local application and environment.
As part of the United Nations Make Roads Safe Campaign, the National Rolling Enforcement Plan continues with its target of stopping and checking one million vehicles per month nation-wide. Commencing in June, a minimum of 10 000 drivers per month will be screened for alcohol use as well. Special vehicle fitness roadside checks will be conducted and public passenger transport vehicles will be inspected at their yards, depots and ranks.
“The Traffic Enforcement departments around the country will continue with high visibility and high impact operations along major, identified hazardous routes and locations, but it remains the responsibility of each and every road user to ensure his/her personal safety as well as the safety of other road users.
We cannot continue to bury innocent people who have lost their lives in senseless crashes that are easily preventable. As South Africans, we need to conduct a serious introspection of our behavior on our roads. The reduction of fatalities must be the responsibility and contribution of every road user,” said Mr Collins Letsoalo, Acting CEO of the RTMC.
Report bad driving to 0861 400 800.
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Ashref Ismail
Cell: 071 680 3448
E-mail: Ashrefi@rtmc.co.za
