MISA urges motorists to avoid night driving following fatal crashes
MISA is appealing to drivers to limit travel after dark, citing recent fatal accidents and research indicating the increased severity of nighttime collisions.
The Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) is issuing a strong appeal to motorists to avoid driving at night, particularly in adverse weather conditions. The call comes after MISA observed that two recent fatal accidents occurred late at night when visibility was significantly reduced.
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Martlé Keyter, MISA’s chief executive officer: operations, highlighted research from insurance companies indicating that nighttime accidents are nine times more severe than those occurring during the day. Echoing the advice of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), Keyter stressed the importance of avoiding nighttime travel, especially when it is raining.
The appeal follows a devastating head-on collision on the R63 between Adelaide and Maqoma (Fort Beaufort) in the Eastern Cape, which claimed 15 lives. This tragic incident occurred at midnight and involved a fully loaded minibus taxi and a bakkie, leaving five other passengers injured.
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This comes just days after the recovery of the bodies of three police officers and their vehicle from the Hennops River in Centurion. Off-duty Constables Linda Cebekhulu (24), Keamogetswe Buys (30), and Boipelo Senoge (20) were last seen travelling late at night near the Grasmere Toll Plaza on the N1, en route to Limpopo. Authorities suspect their car crashed, rolled, and veered off the N1 during a storm at night.
Earlier this year, in January, 17 people died in a horrific accident involving a truck and a minibus at Van Reenen’s Pass on the N3, also occurring at night. Tragically, only a baby girl survived that collision.
According to Arrive Alive, nighttime driving presents unique obstacles and risks not encountered during the day, including compromised night vision. MISA’s appeal aims to raise awareness of these dangers and encourage motorists to prioritise their safety by limiting non-essential travel during hours of darkness.
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