Holiday road carnage stands at 550
Road accidents in December have exceeded the 100 mark in Gauteng.
According to reports by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), at least 550 people already have died on South African road since 1 December.
The RTMC reports 459 fatal crashes nationwide, with Gauteng recording 99 crashes from 1 to 16 December.
RTMC acting chief executive officer (CEO) Gilberto Martins says dangerous overtaking, speeding as well as drinking and driving were contributing factors.
Breakdown of crashes per province: 1 to 16 December
Gauteng: 99
KwaZulu-Natal: 89
Eastern Cape: 57
Mpumalanga: 51
Free State: 40
Western Cape: 40
Limpopo: 38
North West Province: 30
Northern Cape: 15
Total: 459
Martins says, “A BMW driver was arrested in KwaZulu-Natal after he had been caught driving at 221km/h in a 120km/h zone on the South Coast on the N2 in Ellingham. He was released on R5 000 bail.”
The RTMC also reports that 22 drivers were arrested for drunken driving in the North West Province.
Martins says it is important for the public to work with traffic officials and report unroadworthy vehicles and drivers who exceed the speed limit.
