In spite of intensive efforts, including the deployment of 1 200 traffic officers along Limpopo roads and the introduction of a 24-hour shift system by the Department of Transport and Community Safety, statistics have confirmed that 7% or 11 more lives were lost on the province’s roads during the 2018/19 Festive Season.
Provincial statistics recently released by Transport and Community Safety MEC Makoma Makhurupetje revealed that 138 crashes and 178 fatalities were reported in Limpopo from 1 December to 8 January – a marked increase on the 167 of last year.
A press release issued by the department quoted Makhurupetje to have said: “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 fifth in the country when it comes to the reduction of road fatalities and crashes.”
Causes of accidents
The human factor contributed far more to this year’s death toll than other elements such as vehicle condition or road environmental factors. 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.
The vehicle factor that contributed most is tyre condition which was the reason for most tyre bursts. Notable in this regard is one accident witnessed on 16 December on the N1 near Mantsole traffic control centre involving a Toyota Fortuner and a 22-seater mini bus where three lives were lost. “Tyre condition has been one of the biggest causes of road carnages throughout 2018 – meaning that motorists need to start being more observant of the tyre lives of their vehicles before it is too late,” Makhurupetje said.
Observation by the department revealed 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 the majority of those who lost their lives were males between the ages of 25 and 39. On top of the list were pedestrians and passengers followed by drivers. Most of the accidents happened on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays between 22:00 and 06:00. The majority of crashes in Limpopo happened on the N1, N11, R71, R521, R524, R523, R36, R37, R555, R101, R40, R81 and R25. These remain critical arterial routes which link countries, provinces, cities, towns and villages.”
Higher traffic volumes
“Although the picture is not entirely pleasing, we are however encouraged that the province fared better when it comes to the number of reported accidents compared to the same period in 2017/18 where a total of 395 accidents were reported against 389 reported in 2018/19. The number of fatal crashes during the same period also reduced from 144 in 2017 to 138 in 2018, marking a reduction of 4%,” Makhurupetje said.
The number of reported accidents and fatal crashes happen in the context of tremendous growth in vehicle and driver population in the province. Compared to the same period in 2017, when the province had 693 109 vehicles on the road, there has been an increase of 713 993 vehicles in 2018, which marks a further growth of 3,01% or 20 884 additional vehicles. The growth of vehicle and driver population on its own, puts tremendous strain not only on our road networks, but also in the capacity of our traffic officers to enforce law enforcement effectively.
“Although it is evident that we have not performed as much as we would have wished and have not succeeded in achieving our set goal of 10% reduction in fatalities over this period, we remain unmoved in our resolve to work even harder to achieve this goal in the next season.”
Officers out in full force
During the Festive Season traffic officers were out in full force conducting operations and the following were achieved:
354 591 vehicles were stopped and checked
20 721 drivers were tested for alcohol
85 593 vehicles were weighed in weighbridges
3 745 drivers were charged for driving documents
12 179 drivers were charged for speeding
17 drivers were arrested for speeding (speeds of 214 km/h and 208 km/h were noted)
3 665 drivers were charged for overloading
5 219 drivers were charged for other moving
offences
4 415 drivers were charged for vehicle defects
383 un-roadworthy vehicles were discontinued
244 vehicles were impounded for illegal public transport operations
288 drivers were arrested for drunk driving
370 warrant of arrests were executed
27 other arrests were executed
“The year 2019 must never be the same. In an effort to jack up our road safety messages and campaigns, we will ensure that the partnership we have started with members’ civil society continues. 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. This is the year of growing South Africa together and together let us help one another to realise the dream of a better life for all – through transport.”
Story: RC Myburgh
>>rc.observer@gmail.com
