POLOKWANE – Following the announcement of the 2018 festive season road statistics announced by the Minister of Transport, Blade Ndzimande on Wednesday, the MEC for Transport and Community Safety in Limpopo, Makoma Makhurupetje released Limpopo’s 2018/19 Festive Season Road Safety outcomes earlier today.
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Of the country’s total 1 286 crashes, Limpopo contributed 138 crashes and 178 fatalities. “This means that we lost 11 more lives compared to the same period in the previous year. Compared to the same period during the previous year, Limpopo is placed at number fifth in the country when it comes to the reduction of road fatalities and crashes,” Makhurupetje said.
In all accidents, Makhurupetje says human factor contributed far more than any other factor such as vehicle condition or road environmental factors.
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“Jay-walking is counted amongst the top contributors, followed by speeding, hit and run, overtaking in the face of oncoming traffic, driving under the influence of alcohol and fatigue,” she said.
In all observations, it was found that sedans and Light Delivery Vehicles (LDVs) topped the list of crash prone vehicles followed by combis and then trucks and buses.
“In all our recorded crashes we established that majority of those who lost their lives were males between the ages of 25 and 39-years-old. Topping the list were pedestrians and passengers, followed by drivers. Most of the accidents happened on Friday’s, Saturday’s, Sunday’s and Monday’s between 10:00 to 06:00 in the morning,” she explained.
Majority of crashes in Limpopo occurred on the N1, N11, R71, R521, R524, R523, R36, R37, R555, R101, R40, R81 and R25 and these remain critical arterial routes which link countries, provinces, cities, towns and villages.
Makhurupetje also stated that the average speed over a distance fixed camera’s and candlesticks that SANRAL had erected on the N1, have now become a source of deterrence against speeding and reckless overtaking.
As a result of this intervention, the festive season saw a dramatic decline in crashes especially on the stretch of the road between Modimolle and Mookgopong.
“We also recommit ourselves to strengthening law enforcement, patrols and visibility on our roads at all times. In the same breath we expect road users likewise to take road safety as their primary responsibility,” she concluded.
