LIMPOPO – The Department of Transport’s efforts to reduce road deaths on provincial roads seem to have yielded positive results. This after the province recorded the lowest number of road fatalities since Lockdown Level 1 was declared.
According to a statement issued by the departmental Media Liaison Officer, Mike Maringa the province recorded a total of three road fatalities in three separate collisions between Friday, 6 November and Sunday, 8 November.
Maringa gave a breakdown the weekend’s fatal road crashes; “In the first reported collision, a motorcyclist died after he collided head-on with another vehicle along the R510 at Northam in Waterberg. In a separate incident, a the driver of a sedan died in a head-on collision on the R578 road at Beje in Vhembe. It is alleged the driver attempted to overtake another vehicle, when he collided with an oncoming bakkie. The third collision occurred between Dipichi and Malapile villages in the Capricorn district, where the driver of a SUV allegedly lost control of the vehicle and overturned. The driver was killed instantly and five passengers escaped with injuries.”
Maringa said that since the start of Lockdown Level 1, on 20 September, the province recorded a minimum of eight road fatalities every weekend. He added that the decrease in road fatalities is a good sign and the department will continue in their efforts to reduce weekend road fatalities through ongoing road awareness campaigns and to ensure traffic officers are more visible along provincial roads.
Despite the drop in road fatalities, the MEC for Transport and community Safety, Mavhungu Lerule Ramakhanya urged motorists to obey the rules of the road and to drive within the prescribed speed limits.
“Our effort to reach a zero fatal weekend seems to be yielding positive results, however, we still call on road users, both motorists and pedestrians to be extra cautious most especially on weekends.”
She added that the department they will continue to work very hard to ensure that the number of fatalities are reduced as we head towards the festive season. “Our officers are out in their numbers and they will not hesitate to arrest anyone who breaks the law.”
