Report shows a decrease in accidents
While human error contributes to most road accidents, intolerance on the part of motorists is also to blame. This is according to Mpumalanga community safety, security and liaison MEC, Mr Vusi Shongwe.
NELSPRUIT – While human error contributes to most road accidents, intolerance on the part of motorists is also to blame. This is according to Mpumalanga community safety, security and liaison MEC, Mr Vusi Shongwe.
On the other hand, he said the reduction in accidents and fatalities during December 2013 as compared with 2012, should largely be attributed to increased law-enforcement visibility on provincial roads. He urged road users to be tolerant of one another.
“We need increased tolerance and vigilance on the part of all road users so that we can save more lives. We will all arrive at our destinations safely if we abide by traffic regulations and drive with great caution. Traffic officers must not show any mercy to transgessors, because we preach the same gospel all through the year that these laws must be obeyed at all times. These messages continue to be ignored. We must play our part in making our roads safer,” Shongwe said.
According to a preliminary report, Mpumalanga recorded 567 crashes during December, while 591 accidents were recorded for the same period in 2012, which represented a decrease of 4,06 per cent. These resulted in 109 fatalities compared with last year’s 130 fatalities, a reduction of 16,15 per cent.
There was an increase of 12,14 per cent in serious injuries as 428 people were seriously injured in December 2013, in contrast to the 376 during December 2012.
A total of 649 people sustained slight injuries in the same period as to the 660 in 2012, thus an increase of 1,6 per cent. The problematic roads in the province remain the N4, R40, N11, R573, R33, D797, N3 and N12.
The report further indicates that most accidents occured in the Nkangala Region with 212 that claimed 47 lives. Second is Ehlanzeni Region which recorded 203 which resulted in 35 fatalities and 154 were reported in Gert Sibande Region, which resulted in 27 deaths.
Shongwe welcomed these decreases but was worried that the numbers were still too high. Road users needed to prioritise safety at all times. He added that tough measures would be taken against those who violate traffic regulations in order to deter future transgressors.
He also said that law-enforcement operations would be staged on most roads to ensure that holidaymakers reach their destinations, and get home safely.
He further applauded traffic officers for stopping 202 122 vehicles which included 20 163 minibus taxis, 3 764 sports utility SUVs, 44 610 light delivery vehicles, 5 447 sedans and 2 435 buses. The vehicles were stopped during various roadblocks conducted throughout the province during December.
These operations led to 1 518 people being served with written notices for dangerous overtaking, while 14 075 were fined for speeding.
A total of 3 193 fines were also issued for faulty tyres while a further 2 132 cases of motorists driving without safety belts were reported.
The highest speed transgression recorded was 200km/h where Mr RJ Moyo was arrested on the N3 between Heidelburg and Villiers on December 17. He appeared in the Grootvlei Magistrate’s Court and was granted bail of R2 500.
More than 1 000 vehicles had faulty headlights and 1 182 were discontinued as they were deemed dangerous to be on the road, while 1 757 were impounded.
Exactly 102 motorists were also arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, excessive speeding, overloading, driving without valid licences, outstanding traffic fines and false documentation among others.
The MEC welcomed the hard work and commitment displayed by the law-enforcement agencies.
