“One of the saddest moments in SA history for road fatalities”
In a statement, the Minister of Transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga, said that the attitudes and irresponsible choices of road users were some of the reasons for a decision to brief the public about road safety figures for the past long weekend.
Although media briefings are usually only given after the Easter and Festive holiday seasons, an additional one was given as an exception. With the Worker’s Day public holiday and last week’s Freedom Day on Wednesday many people opted for an extended holiday while it coincided with payday.
Chikunga said that these factors conspired to ensure that the past long weekend was one of the most sad moments in South Africa’s history, with many road fatalities and injuries.
“I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of government, to send our deepest condolences to families and friends for the loss of their loved ones and wish those who were injured a speedy recovery.”
She stated that she was particularly perturbed by four major collisions that claimed about 30 lives throughout the country, mainly in Randfontein (Gauteng) where 15 lives were lost in a collision between a truck and a minibus taxi, and in the Western Cape where five people were killed when an SUV crashed into a sedan in George.
“In Limpopo nine people died when a minibus crashed into a trailer near Nylplaza in Mokopane and one person died in a multiple car collision involving four cars on the N2 between East London and Mooiplaas in the Eastern Cape. Most worrying are the cause of these major crashes which include drunk driving, overtaking when it is unsafe to do so, reckless and negligent driving as well as speeding,” she added.
South Africa experienced 179 fatal collisions from April 29 to May 2 with 237 lives lost. An increase of 106 fatalities from last year’s numbers was noted as cause for concern.
Arrive Alive posted the following table to depict the Provincial split:
Image via Arrive Alive
“I would like to express support to Wits University and the ZCC Church in their laudable endeavours to identify the seven students who perished in that gruesome collision near Mokopane. I hope that the forensic and pathological services would work diligently and with speed to assist families and friends to find closure.
To ensure improved safety on the roads, I have instructed the RTMC to speedy the process of establishing the Traffic Law Enforcement Review Committee to deal amongst others with the determination of norms and standards for the traffic law enforcement fraternity as well as the integration of all traffic law enforcers. Invitations for nominations for the establishment of the Traffic Law Enforcement Review Committee will be widely publicised with a view of recruiting appropriate and relevant skills.”
Source: Arrive Alive