Driver crashes into six trucks and five other vehicles on N3 in Durban

One person has died and several others were injured in a multiple vehicle crash just before the Marianhill Toll Plaza on the N3, Durban Bound, on Friday evening.

According to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, a heavy motor vehicle from Zimbabwe collided with six trucks and five light motor vehicles.

“We request motorists to avoid the area, use alternative routes, and delay any trips leading to the Marianhill Toll Plaza,” said Ndabezinhle Sibiya, spokesperson for the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma.

ALSO READ: Road Accident Fund warns it won’t pay people who throw themselves at cars

“We request motorists to avoid the area and use alternative routes and to delay any trip leading to Marrianhill Toll Plaza,” said Ndabezinhle Sibiya, spokesperson for MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma.

December crashes in KZN

According to Sibiya, from 1 to 12 December, the province has recorded 63 accidents, an increase from 56 during the same period last year.

“We have unfortunately recorded an increase of 13%,” said Sibiya.

ALSO READ: MK party KZN leader Canaan Mdletshe dies in accident

In terms of fatalities, the province recorded 61 deaths during this period last year, compared to 64 this year.

Accidents and fatalities in KZN

• eThekwini is leading with 26 crashes and 26 fatalities.
• King Cetshwayo – 10 crashes and 10 fatalities
• Ugu – 10 crashes and 10 fatalities
• Zululand – 5 crashes and 5 fatalities
• Umgungundlovu – 3 crashes and 3 fatalities
• Umkhanyakude – 3 crashes and 3 fatalities
• Uthukela – 3 crashes and 3 fatalities
• Ilembe 2 crashes and 2 fatalities
• Umzinyathi – 1 crash and 1 fatality
• Harry Gwala – no accidents and fatalities

“According to our analysis, most of these fatal crashes occur between 6am and 10am. And between 5pm and 1am over the weekend,” said Sibiya.

The leading causes of accidents are speeding, drunken driving, fatigue and roadworthiness of vehicles.

The province will be carrying out roadblocks involving different law enforcement agencies from Friday evening until next week.

ALSO READ: Almost R140 billion paid out by Road Accident Fund in three years

“The target is to have more than 99 speed operations across all corners of the province by the end of the festive season,” said Sibiya.

“We remain worried about the increasing number of young people who are perishing on our roads, most of them under the influence of alcohol.

“We have deployed road safety officers who are working with local municipal road safety teams.”