Caution needed during winter holiday travel

Planning a winter vacation with the kids during the upcoming school holidays?

Be mindful of the dangers presented by inclement weather conditions, particularly as winter sets in.

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This warning was issued by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) ahead of the winter school holidays and the long Youth Day weekend this month.

“Winter is characterised by short days, resulting in increased night travelling, especially over weekends.

“Misty conditions are expected in parts of the country, including KZN, Limpopo and the Western Cape, snowy and slippery conditions from black ice or thin invisible ice on the paved roads, along the high mountainous areas of the Eastern Cape, Free State and KZN,” said RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane.

He warned that road fatalities during Youth Month are prevalent.

“June 2021 road fatalities were recorded at 902, whereas June 2022 dropped to 873.

“In June 2023, fatalities dropped further to 833, while June 2024 recorded 923 road fatalities.

“Trends in South Africa indicate that young people between the ages of 20 and 39 constitute more than half of the people who die on the roads daily as a result of road crashes.”

Most fatalities occur on Saturdays and Sundays between 5pm and 9pm.

Zwane urged young people to play their part by reducing speed and avoiding drunk driving, with extra caution advised during these high risk times.

“Tyre maintenance is key in ensuring tyres are in good condition and tread depth is at a minimum of 1.6mm. Grip starts to reduce on anything under 3mm. Following this simple recommendation will help young people stay safe on the roads throughout the winter season,” said Zwane.

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