As the festive season peak travel period starts, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has urged motorists to plan their trips carefully, avoid nighttime travel and watch out for high accident zones.
The RTMC discouraged motorists from nighttime travel saying an analysis of fatal crashes over previous festive seasons showed the number of crashes increased between 4:00 pm and 11:00 pm on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The RTMC said this could be due to factors such as poor visibility, fatigue and impaired driving.
The early hours before dawn were also a dangerous time to drive.
“This comes as 13 people died and three were injured when a truck collided with a minibus on the N1 between Winburg and Verkeerdevlei in the Free State. The crash happened at about 3.15am. The vehicles collided head on,” the RTMC said.
Accidents involving pedestrians and single vehicles were the most common contributors to fatalities during this period. The RTMC called on motorists to be vigilant when travelling in built-up areas and to take enough time to rest.
“Driving conditions are likely to be complicated by predictions of severe thunderstorms and heavy downpours in many parts of the country during this period.
“Motorists should reduce speed when driving in rainy conditions and be cautious when crossing low-lying bridges.”
The RTMC identified 24 zones or hotspots where 15 or more crashes have taken place over the past five years:
Mpumalanga
- R573 Moloto Road in KwaMhlanga
- N4 near Middelburg
- N4 near Nelspruit
Limpopo
- R71 Mankweng
- N1 near Naboomspruit
- N1 near Mokopane
- N1 near Musina
- N1 near Makhado
Eastern Cape
- N2 near Idutywa
- N2 near Mount Ayliff
- R61 near Mbizana
- R61 near Umthatha
- R61 near Mzamba
- N2 near Mount Frere
- N2 near Libode
- R61 near Libode
- N2 near Umthatha
North West
- R30 between Stilfontein and Ventersdorp;
KwaZulu-Natal
- N2 near Pongola
- N2 near Port Shepstone
- M35 near Folweni
Western Cape
- N1 near Laingsburg
- Francie van Zijl Drive near Parow
Free State
- N3 near Harrismith
