With high traffic volumes being recorded on the country’s roads this weekend, motorists are being urged to plan their trips carefully.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) urges drivers to take sufficient breaks to avoid fatigue, and warned against speeding, drunken and reckless driving.

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“Motorists are advised to avoid travelling at night as evidence shows that most deadly crashes happen after sunset and in the early hours of the morning.

“Travel data analysed since the start of the festive season road safety campaign on 1 December shows that 21 per cent of fatal crashes happen between 7pm and 10pm, and six per cent between midnight and 1am.

“These are the times when most head-on collisions have taken place, claiming many lives,” said the RTMC in a statement.

A stern warning has also been issued to public transport operators who are urged not to overload passengers and to ensure their permits are valid for the routes they operate on.

“More than 4 700 public transport vehicles have been impounded for contravention of operator permits.

“Another 12 600 vehicles have been discontinued for roadworthy related infringements,” said the RTMC.

“Public transport operators are further called upon to desist from loading and off-loading passengers at unsafe spots as this increases the risk of pedestrian crashes.”

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