MOKOPANE – “Government may very well be working at a snail’s pace in repairing roads, but driver behaviour ultimately causes most vehicle crashes on the N11.”
Mayor Ngoako Taueatsoala last Thursday responded after the fatal crash near the Sekgakgapeng bridge to which authorities responded last Monday, which claimed the lives of two learners from Potgietersrus Primary School.
Another learner has since also passed on in hospital, bringing the death count to three.
According to the reports, the taxi, which was transporting the learners from Masodi village to school, overtook another vehicle and collided with an oncoming truck.
Ten learners were involved in the incident. Two were declared dead at the scene, while eight sustained injuries and were taken to the nearest hospital.
The memorial service for Matlabeke Moshibudi (Gr 3) and Seipati Kekana (Gr 4) was held at the Aboo Tayob Hall in Akasia last Thursday.
During the remembrance service, the principal, SH Kekana, confirmed that six learners have been discharged from hospital, and two are still in the hospital where another learner has since passed on.
As calls to repair roads in the area are mounting, Taueatsoala remarked that reckless driving and human error remain the major causes of vehicle crashes on the roads.
“Most accidents are caused by negligence and by people who only care about making a profit, rushing to reach their destination without regard for passengers or other drivers.”
He added that the government is concerned about the unacceptably high levels of motor vehicle crashes especially on the N11 which has been dubbed a “killer road” as well as the R518, where 45 people died in a bus crash on the eve of Easter weekend.
“There is a slow progress in terms of what the government is doing to improve the quality and safety of our roads. But before we put the blame on the government for taking years to upgrade the N11 as promised, as drivers, we need to look thoroughly at our behaviour. I can assure you that plans are underway to improve road safety on both the N11 and R518 meaning upgrading, maintenance and the resealing of the D192 and D3500.”
Drivers tend to overtake on solid barrier lines, sharp curves, and often drive overloaded vehicles, he remarked.
“Most incidents on the N11 could have been avoided had the drivers adhered to the road rules. Crashes are preventable and avoidable, so if we don’t change our driver attitude, we will not see the statistics dropping any time soon.”
The mayor conveyed his condolences to the families of the bereaved and wished a speedy recovery to those who sustained injuries.
