The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has warned that law enforcement will be out in full force during the festive season to ensure compliance among drivers and other road users.
On Friday, most companies will start winding up production, allowing workers to go on holidays in different parts of the country and Southern Africa.
Simon Zwane, RTMC spokesperson, said law enforcement will come from National Traffic Police, provincial traffic departments, municipalities and the SAPS, monitoring roads across the country.
“There will be intensified efforts on overloads, drunk driving and speeding. There’s a massive operation within Joburg this afternoon focusing on overloading of cross-border public transport. The intention is to stop them before they join the freeways.
“Pedestrians must avoid walking near freeways this time of the year. Wear bright clothes at night. Passengers must wear safety belts. Drivers must take the weather into account and reduce speed when driving in rainy conditions. They must check the expiry date of their driving licences and vehicle discs,” Zwane said.
Zwane said analysis of fatal crashes over the past festive seasons showed that collisions increase between 4pm and 11pm from Thursday to Sunday.
This could be attributed to factors such as poor visibility, fatigue and impaired driving. The early hours of the morning before dawn are also a dangerous period in which to drive.
The RTMC has identified 24 zones or hotspots where 15 or more crashes have taken place over the past five years.
These are the R573 Moloto Road in KwaMhlanga, in Mpumalanga, the R71 Mankweng in Limpopo, the N2 near Idutywa in the Eastern Cape, the N2 near Mount Ayliff in the Eastern Cape, the N1 near Naboomspruit in Limpopo, the R61 near Mbizana in the Eastern Cape, the N1 near Mokopane in Limpopo, the R30 between Stilfontein and Ventersdorp in the North West, the R61 near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, the N2 near Pongola in KwaZulu-Natal, R61 near Mzamba in the Eastern Cape, the N1 near Musina in Limpopo, the N2 near Mount Frere in Eastern Cape, the N4 near Middelburg in Mpumalanga, the N1 near Laingsburg in Western Cape, the N2 near Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal, the N1 near Loius Trichardt in Limpopo, the N2 near Libode in the Eastern Cape, the R61 near Libode in Eastern Cape, the N4 near Nelspruit, France van Zyl Drive near Parow in Western Cape, the N3 near Harrismith in the Free State, the M35 near Folweni in KwaZulu-Natal and the N2 near Mthatha in Eastern Cape.
Government wants to reduce carnage on the roads by 25% by March 2024.
While launching the festive season road safety campaign, transport minister Fikile Mbalula said road users must change their attitude to reduce deaths on the road.
This after 13 people died and three were severely injured in an accident involving a minibus taxi and a truck on Monday. The crash took place at 3.15am on the N1 between Winburg and Verkeerdevlei in the Free State.
“I convey my condolences to the relatives and friends of those who lost their lives in the head-on collision. It is saddening that we continue to mourn the loss of loved ones as a result of road carnage,” said Mbalula.
dlaminip@sowetan.co.za
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