More than 15 dead in Easter road fatalities

Sixteen people were killed on Gauteng roads according to preliminary Easter road fatality statistics from the province’s traffic police.

Eight of those who lost their lives were pedestrians, said Gauteng traffic police spokesperson Sello Maremane.

In one accident, five people were killed while seven others were injured in a three-vehicle collision on the N12.

Four of them were declared dead at the scene while one other, who was in a critical condition, passed away in hospital.

The vehicles were found across the freeway while several people were scattered around the scene.

Maremane blamed the death rate on road users’ attitudes and behaviour such as drunk driving, reckless and negligent driving, speeding, unsafe overtaking, public transport overloading and vehicle fitness.

They would, however, continue to use their road safety education unit to promote road responsibility and safety.

“We will encourage road-users to use the road responsibly to prevent unnecessary road injuries and deaths resulting from road traffic crashes,” he said.

Gauteng traffic police were also expected to be on high alert to “deal decisively” with road traffic violations.

He also extended condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives.

“We also wish a speedy recovery to all those currently receiving medical treatment due to injuries sustained in various crashes this weekend.”

In a separate incident, a female Gauteng traffic police officer was knocked over by an allegedly drunk female driver during a law enforcement operation at the weekend.

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