Sibusiso Ndebele on Umzimkhulu road crash

Department of Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele on Umzimkhulu road crash

12 Mar 2012

Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has called on road users to exercise extra caution on the country’s roads, following the death of more than 30 people over the past five days in separate road crashes.

Earlier today 12 March 2012, KwaZulu-Natal traffic authorities reported 11 people killed in a collision between a truck and a Toyota Venture on the R56 near uMzimkhulu. On Saturday, 10 March in the evening, seven people died when a car slammed into a group of pedestrians in Tshaulu, near Thohoyandou, in Limpopo. The drivers of two cars were allegedly speeding, when the driver of one car veered into a group of pedestrians. Last Thursday on 8 March 2012, 12 people were killed in a head-on collision near Queenstown in the Eastern Cape.

“We want to convey condolences to the families of those killed in these road crashes, and wish the injured a speedy recovery. The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has dispatched an independent team of accident investigation and reconstruction specialists to assist in the investigation of these crashes. Officials from the Road Accident Fund (RAF) are also providing assistance to the affected families.

“Last week alone, more than 250 000 vehicles and drivers were stopped and checked and several motorists arrested. During January (2012), 8 507 motorists were arrested across the country including 1 762 for drinking and driving, 84 for reckless and/or negligent driving and 215 for excessive speed. Although there is a slight year-on-year reduction in road deaths, a great deal of work must still be done in line with the United Nations (UN) Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020.

“Tomorrow, 13 March 2012, in partnership with Lead SA, we will honour Ms Hazel Souma, a 79-year-old Cape Town motorist, who has not received a single traffic fine since she acquired her driving licence at the age of 18. Ms Souma’s unblemished driving record and sterling example is proof that we can put an end to the carnage on our roads. It is time that all right-thinking and like-minded South Africans say: Enough is enough – we need to take back our roads! Be part of the Decade of Activism for Road Safety 2011 to 2020 - Be Part of It!” Minister Ndebele said.

Enquiries: 
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 644 4050

Issued by: Department of Transport 
12 Mar 2012