MBOMBELA- Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe has condemned the on-going negligence and reckless driving that continues to cause deaths on the road.
Shongwe is concerned about the number of fatalities that were reported recently.
This comes after the province recorded 19 road fatalities in only seven days, between April 25 and May 3 in 61 separate crashes. “Most of the incidences are believed to have been caused by speeding, dangerous overtaking, and drunk driving among others,”explained Joseph Mabuza spokesperson for the department.
One of the crashes occurred on the R546 road between Evander and Embalenhle [Secunda] on April 25. “The vehicle lost control and overturned killing five occupants while two other people died on the spot in Standerton on April 29 on R38 road. All the crashes occurred when the vehicles in lost control and overturned,” he said.
On Workers Day a pedestrian was killed on R40 road at the Badplaas turn off when a vehicle ran over him.
On May 2 two people were killed on N4 Toll Road near the Hendrina off-ramp in Middelburg after the vehicles they were travelling in side swiped against each other. “Four pedestrians died in separate incidences on R573 in KwaMhlanga after they were run over by vehicles,” added Mabuza.
Mabuza added that 33 people were seriously injured and were rushed to different hospitals across the province in the same week.
Meanwhile, traffic officers managed to stop and assessed 5 884 vehicles during various traffic operations across the province. “From the 500 drivers tested for alcohol 144 were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol,” he adds.
Other 176 drivers were arrested for variety of offences including driving without driving licenses and excessive speeding.
MEC Shongwe has urged says traffic officers to be alert and always maintain visibility while dealing with those who break the law.
“As much as we try to improve our law enforcement operations and road safety to prevent road crashes and lawlessness, road users must remain critical in ensuring road safety by practicing caution and obeying road rules at all times,” said Shongwe.
