Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Mr Vusi Shongwe has called on motorists to exercise caution when they are driving in order to assist government to reduce deaths and injuries resulting from road accidents.
Shongwe’s comments follow on three major accidents that claimed nine lives on Saturday. The first accident happened when a Volkswagen Sedan and a Nissan Light Delivery Vehicle (LDV) collided head-on on the N17 Road between Trichardt and Bethal.
It is believed that one of the vehicles was travelling at a high speed and the driver subsequently lost control before colliding with another vehicle travelling in the opposite direction. Three people died on impact. Among those who died where the driver of the sedan and two occupants of the LDV.
Another accident occurred when a Toyota Mini-bus travelling on N2 Road between Ermelo and Piet Retief lost control and crashed into the Ngwempisi River Bridge barrier. Three people, who included the driver and two passengers, died on the scene. Six people were seriously injured while another eight slightly injured passengers were rushed to the nearby Ermelo Hospital.
Three more people perished when a sedan collided head on with an LDV on N4 Toll Road between Belfast and Middelburg. Three of tthe deceased included the driver of the sedan and two passengers. The critically injured driver of the LDV was rushed to a nearby hospital. Police are investigating.
Shongwe has called on drivers to exercise due diligence as most of the accidents are attributed to human error.
He has meanwhile called on the law-enforcement agencies to deal harshly with motorists who disregard traffic rules and regulation as this placed other people’s lives in danger.
He has meanwhile send condolences to the bereaved families and wished those who were injured a speedy recovery.
