MBOMBELA – This year there were not any fatalities on the N4 during Easter, and many attribute this to increased law enforcement and the promotion of road safety. Trans African Concessions (TRAC) said this was certainly one of the busiest periods on this toll road, and although
42 accidents were recorded on the N4 from April 2 to 6 (three in Gauteng, 17 in the Highveld and 22 in the Lowveld), none resulted in fatalities.
“Given that the hourly traffic flow at most of the plazas reached the highest figures ever recorded, this is indeed a remarkable feat,” said Ms Solange Soares-Nicholson, spokesman for TRAC.
One of the key contributors to keeping the N4 fatality-free was the number of road-safety campaigns, including that of TRAC. The bulk of Mpumalanga’s emergency medical services and TRACAssist teams were stationed at Alzu Petroport in Middelburg, and smaller units were deployed to strategic points along the highway as part of the concessionaire’s annual project. This ensured that response time to accidents and incidents was minimised, thus ensuring minimal disruption to traffic flow.
The high visibility in traffic and law-enforcement authorities throughout the 570-kilometre route and their constant presence, ensured that motorists respected road rules and regulations.
Soares-Nicholson said such an achievement would not have been possible without the cooperation of road users, “and therefore we want to thank all motorists for their efforts”.
However, the province as a whole did not see the same impressive results. The highest number of crashes were recorded in Ehlanzeni Region, with 57 crashes and five fatalities. Roads with the most fatalities were the R29, R555 and N3 toll road while, along with the N4, the N17 and R23 roads recorded no fatalities.
Mpumalanga community safety, security and liaison MEC, Mr Vusi Shongwe said there was an urgent need for motorists to change their attitude on the road and start obeying traffic rules so that accidents could be eliminated during peak holiday seasons and throughout the year.
Shongwe also thanked all motorists who heeded the call and obeyed traffic rules, saying had they not behaved, the picture would have been bleaker. He also lauded law-enforcement agencies and other emergency personnel who worked throughout the Easter holidays to ensure that people were safe on the road.
