Shocking number of road fatalities over the long weekend
Every year, we hope to see a decrease in South Africa’s road accident and fatality rate over the festive season, but sadly, it appears that it won’t be the case for 2018.
This past long weekend saw 28 fatalities in the Western Cape alone, and at least 31 for Gauteng – a sure sign that SA is roads are still a dangerous place to be.
In Cape Town, an investigation is still underway after 12 people (three of which were children) died in a taxi accident on the N1 highway outside Touwsrivier on Saturday morning.
EWN reports that traffic authorities have confirmed that 22 passengers were travelling in the 16-seater mini-bus at the time of the crash.
Western Cape Transport MEC Donald Grant says 83 road deaths were registered from the 1st of December.
“We’ve been begging the motorists that they just obey the law, respect other road users, and if we do that we can bring it down.”
Despite stringent measures rolled out in a bit to curb irresponsible driving, this past long weekend shows that motorists are simply not exercising safe road behaviours.
Also read: 8 things motorists cannot afford to do this December