Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Transport has sent condolences to the families of the twenty people that were killed earlier this morning in a car accident near Leeu Gamka at the Western Cape.
The accident happened on the N1 between Leeu-Gamka and Prince Albert road at around 02h00. Two minibus taxis heading in the direction of Cape Town crashed into the side of a truck. “We are losing too many lives through road accidents, which is something that we could avoid if we committed to abiding by the laws,” said Committee Chairperson, Ms Ruth Bhengu.
The Chairperson of the Committee said it was high time that taxi drivers valued the lives of passengers more than the money they make. She added that it was sad that lives of passengers kept being lost in accidents like these as if those who get killed in these accidents did not leave behind orphans who would struggle to make ends meet.
The Committee said there was an urgent need to seriously look at all contributing factors to these accidents and develop a comprehensive strategy to curb this carnage.
Ms Bhengu said the Department of Transport at all levels needed to closely monitor roadworthiness of vehicles, especially those tasked with transporting members of the public. The chairperson added that those found violating traffic laws should receive hefty penalties.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Kanyisa Ndyondya
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8041
Cell: 083 624 0585
E-mail: kndyondya@parliament.gov.za
Portfolio Committee on Transport says strategy is needed to deal with road carnage following the death of 20 people
