Driver error to blame for M17 horror crash
“The truck driver allowed his vehicle to veer off its lane onto oncoming traffic resulting in the head-on crash.”
Transport minister Fikile Mbalula said driver error was the major contributing factor to the M17 horror crash almost two weeks ago.
The minister was presenting the findings of an investigation into the cause of the accident at a media briefing on Friday afternoon.
The collision between a bus and a truck claimed the lives of 15 people while 37 others were rushed to hospital with varying degrees of injuries for medical attention.
The crash happened in the early morning around 05:10.
He said the bus was travelling in a southerly direction with 56 passengers on board.
Mbalula said the truck carrying furniture was travelling in the opposite direction.
The truck veered off its original lane and into the path of the bus resulting in a head-on collision.
“It was established that weather conditions at the time were clear and this was ruled out as a contributory factor.
“A full mechanical investigation was conducted on both vehicles and confirmed that there were no mechanical defects or failures that contributed to the crash. It was found that both vehicles were in a roadworthy state before the crash.
“The report further states that both drivers had valid EC1 drivers’ licences and professional driving permits. Although one driver was a foreign national, he had all the required documentation.
“The report concluded that driver error is the major cause of the crash.”
The report’s contents will be brought to the attention of the Directorate of Public Prosecution for their consideration.
“Unfortunately, both drivers died and no one can be charged either for reckless and negligent driving and or culpable homicide,” said Mbalula.
He said under these circumstances, the matter will be the subject of an inquest and the presiding officer or magistrate assigned to this case will have to make a finding after the leading of evidence by eyewitnesses.
Mbalula said road crashes involving buses and trucks are a matter of grave concern to the transport department.
“These crashes place a heavy burden on the health sector and the economy because they involve a high number of fatalities where the victims are economically active members of society.
“The pain is felt deeply by households that are left without breadwinners and children who are left orphaned without a parent to guide them through the challenges of life.
“A disturbing trend that has been observed recently is that more trucks are avoiding national and regional routes and using arterial municipal roads. This is where the horror crashes involving multiple fatalities are now happening.”
Mbalula said the National Road Safety Steering Committee (NRSSC) will have to revise its traffic officer deployment strategy and ensure that heavy vehicles are encouraged to use national and regional routes instead of arterial routes.
“A plan will also be put in place to hold truck and bus operators accountable for the conduct of their drivers on the road, even if this warrants legislative amendment. The National Land Transportation Act stipulates that operators must exercise control over their drivers. Where evidence exists that an operator failed in their duties, criminal charges must be brought against them as well.”
ALSO READ: 15 dead in ‘horror crash’ on M17
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