POLOKWANE – Limpopo is home to four of South Africa’s 10 most dangerous roads, according to a study presented at a public-private partnership conference hosted at the Park Inn on Friday.

This alarming statistic persists despite an 8.4% reduction in road fatalities during the last festive season.

Among the most perilous stretches is the N1 between Mokopane and Polokwane, ranked as the third most dangerous road nationwide.

Other high-risk routes in the province include the:
• N1 between Polokwane and Louis Trichardt.
• N1 between Mookgophong and Polokwane.
• R71 between Polokwane and Tzaneen.

The R81 to Giyani and the R522 (Dendron/Mogwadi) between Polokwane and Alldays were highlighted as particularly hazardous.

These roads, heavily travelled during the festive season, are notorious for high accident rates.

The findings, derived from a collaborative study by the Transport Department and its stakeholders, will inform a new road safety strategy aimed at curbing festive season fatalities.

Transport departmental head Steve Matjena said the R81 received a one-star safety rating due to frequent pedestrian and vehicle fatalities, while the R522 and R525 also recorded significant crash statistics.

“Most roads with frequent accidents received one or two-star ratings for safety, reflecting their dangers to both vehicle occupants and pedestrians,” Matjena explained.

Human error remains the leading cause of road accidents. Reckless driving, driver fatigue, unroadworthy vehicles, and impaired driving due to alcohol or drugs are the primary contributors.

The South African National Taxi Council urged its members to comply with road rules by avoiding speeding and overloading vehicles.

“We encourage all taxi drivers to adhere to traffic regulations and cooperate with law enforcement to ensure safety for all road users,” a spokesperson remarked.

In preparation for the expected festive season traffic surge, the Department of Transport confirmed a robust police and traffic officer presence to monitor these high-risk routes.

This initiative, undertaken in collaboration with Impact Catalyst and Roads Agency Limpopo, aims to reduce road carnage and promote safer driving practices.

Road users are urged to exercise caution and prioritise safety to prevent loss of life on the province’s roads.