MBOMBELA – Though traffic was reaching its peak as thousands of holidaymakers were heading home, Mr Joseph Mabuza, spokesman for community safety, security and liaison reported that there were much fewer accidents on the roads this Easter.
According to a preliminary report, by 11:00 yesterday there was a total of 35 accidents and 15 fatalities in the province compared with a report of 2014 where 17 people died in car crashes in a total of 74 accidents.
“The drop in the number of accidents can probably be attributed to increased law enforcement all over the country.
“Motorists seem to be more vigilant and even though the roads were extremely busy, no fatalities were reported on the N4 by 12:00 yesterday,” said TRAC spokesman, Ms Solange Soares-Nicholson.
On Monday morning an accident occurred on the N4 between a taxi and a Chana bakkie. There were three people inside the bakkie and three on the back.
The family spent the morning at Ngodwana Dam and were heading home when they collided with a taxi and their vehicle was forced into the barrier.
All the occupants of the bakkie were taken to hospital, two of whom were seriously injured. Four were treated for minor injuries. There were no eyewitnesses on the scene.
Soares-Nicholson reported that officials were active on nearly every route to ensure a safe journey by enforcing laws. This included reckless and negligent driving, speeding, unroadworthy vehicles and driving under the influence of alcohol and other intoxicants.
She said by 12:00 yesterday, there were no fatalities on the N4 over Easter for the third consecutive year. By this time, there was a high increase in traffic volumes, which still did not come near the numbers of Friday. Then, traffic peaked at around 1 000 vehicles between 17:00 and 18:00 at Machado Plaza, followed by 700 at Nkomazi Plaza between 18:00 and 19:00 towards the Lebombo Border.
Soares-Nicholson commented that the roads this year were generally in a good condition and that it appeared that motorists were becoming more responsible.
A full report will be available in Friday’s edition of Lowvelder.
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