At least 50 people have been killed in a spate of crashes this Easter Weekend. Transport Minister, Blade Nzimande, says he’s concerned about people driving while fatigued. He’s urged motorists to be more responsible and take regular breaks.
In the most recent major crash, 15 people died when a taxi overturned near Greytown in KwaZulu Natal; and five people have been killed including four pedestrians and a driver of a bakkie at Mpophomeni, outside Pietermaritzburg. Nzimande has expressed concern over the spike of fatal road crashes.
“We are now aware as to what are the times that accidents most happen. The most dangerous time has been between 6Pm and 10Pm as well as early hours of the morning where there is an element of fatigue and people just drive on and one without taking a rest. The other thing is the high number of pedestrians who die in road accidents. We have also identified the areas being mainly townships and areas that you have got a number of taverns operating and we have lots of pedestrian fatalities.”
Transport Minister says he’s also concerned about the increase of road transgressions. Nzimande says traffic police will heighten their visibility across the country to ensure that those who break the rules of the road are brought to book.
He conducted a road stop at the Mariannhill Toll Plaza in Durban. More than two thousands vehicles had passed through KwaZulu-Natal’s busiest toll plaza by early Monday afternoon.
Road authorities are concerned about careless drivers breaking the rules of the road.
Transport Minister Blade Nzimande says: “I am concerned that the issues of seat belts are not being taken seriously by both passengers, especially in taxis and busses and drivers are not making sure that their passengers are actually wearing safety belts.”
Travellers and holidaymakers applauded the police visibility.
In 2017 over thirty deaths were reported in the province during the Easter holidays.
Officials are yet to release this year’s road statistics.
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