Limpopo Easter traffic statistics: Vhembe district records most fatalities

LIMPOPO – With as many as 61 traffic incidents reported between 1-5 April this year on provincial roads, the Vhembe district recorded the highest number of deaths. A report complied by the Department of Transport indicates that of the 61 incidents reported in Limpopo, only 27 crashes lead to fatalities.

A total of 34 fatalities were recorded during this period, with the Vhembe district recording 11 fatalities, followed by Sekhukhune with nine. The Capricorn district recorded six deaths, five were reported in Waterberg and three in the Mopani district.

Of the recorded fatalities, male road users topped the list. A total of 29 male road users died, compared to five female. Of those fatalities, were drivers (13), passengers (9), pedestrians (10) and children (2).

The department attributed most vehicle crashes to speeding. In 27 cases, drivers lost control of their vehicles and overturned, while head-on collisions and reckless driving only attributed to 14 of the 61 crashes.

Read more: Limpopo records 3rd highest amount of road fatalities in SA

The worst crash in Limpopo was recorded on Friday, 2 April. According to a statement by the Transport Department’s Media Liaison Officer, Mike Maringa, four people died and one was seriously injured following a head-on collision on the D856 near Philadelphia in the Sekhukhune district.

Maringa said the incident involved a Volkswagen Polo and a Mahindra bakkie. “Drivers of both vehicles and two passengers were certified dead on the scene. One passenger sustained serious injuries and was rushed to hospital,” he explained.

Maringa said reckless driving has been cited as a possible cause of the incident.

A total of 235 people lost their lives on South African roads in 189 crashes this past long weekend. The province contributed 14% of the total of road fatalities. 

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