With the festive season holidays drawing to a close, road users are encouraged to act responsibly and remain vigilant as heavy traffic is anticipated on all major routes nationwide this weekend.
Law enforcement officers will maintain high levels of visibility during this period.
“Motorists are advised to plan their trips carefully. They 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 01 December shows that 21% of fatal crashes happen between 7pm and 10pm and 6% between midnight and 1am.
“These are the times when most head-on collisions have taken place claiming many lives,” Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said on Friday.
Drivers are urged to take sufficient breaks to avoid fatigue.
The RTMC said speeding, drunken driving and reckless conduct will not be tolerated.
“Public transport operators are called upon to avoid overloading and to ensure that their permits are valid for the routes they operate on. 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,” RTMC said.
More than 4 700 public transport vehicles have been impounded for contravention of operator permits, while 12 600 vehicles have been discontinued for roadworthy related infringements.
“Motorists are also advised to check the weather forecast and ensure that they don’t drive through storms and are not crossing over flooded bridges.
“Motorists are reminded to reduce speed when driving in rainy conditions, increase the following distance between vehicles and have their lights on. Speed must also be reduced when driving past residential areas or pedestrian dense locations,” RTMC said. - SAnews.gov.za
