Mpumalanga records less road accidents
MEC says figures remained too high and motorists need to prioritise road safety at all times.
HIGHVELD – Less road accidents and deaths were recorded in Mpumalanga in December compared with tht of the previous year.
Mr Joseph Mabuza, spokesman for the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, said the province recorded 567 accidents and 109 deaths, compared with 591 accidents and 130 deaths in December last year.
He said the reduction of road crashes and fatalities were caused by increasing law enforcement visibility.
Deaths were down by 16.5 per cent and accidents by 4.06 per cent.
However, the number of serious injuries increased by 12.14 per cent from 376 in December last year to 428.
Minor injuries dropped from 660 in December last year to 649.
Mr Mabuza said the N4, R40, N11, R573, R33, D797, N3 and N12 remained the “problematic” roads in the province.
Many deaths and accidents happened in the Nkangala Region on the Highveld, where 47 people were killed in 212 crashes.
This was followed by the Ehlanzeni Region in the Lowveld, where 203 crashes and 35 deaths were recorded.
The Gert Sibande Region recorded 154 accidents in which 27 people died.
Mr Vusi Shongwe, MEC for the department, said the figures remained too high and road users need to prioritise road safety at all times.
“Tough measures should be taken against those who violate traffic regulations in order to deter future transgressors.”
Mr Shongwe said motorists need to take driving seriously and ensure that they are vigilant at all times while on the road.
“We need to reduce crashes and save lives.
“We must play our part in making our roads safer as many accidents are attributable to human error.”
Meanwhile, the Mpumalanga traffic authorities stopped 202 122 vehicles, which included 20 163 minibus taxis, 3 764 sport utility vehicles (SUVs), 44 610 bakkies, 5 447 sedans, and 2 435 buses, among others in December.
These operations led to 1 518 people being served with written notices for dangerous overtaking, while 14 075 motorists were fined for speeding.
A further 3 193 fines were issued for faulty tyres, while 2 132 cases of motorists driving without safety belts were also reported.
More than 1 000 vehicles had faulty lights and 1 182 were taken off the road as they were deemed dangerously unroadworthy, while 1 757 vehicles were impounded.
Only 102 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, excessive speeding, overloading, driving without valid licenses, and producing false documentation, among others.
