Mbombela - Trans African Concessions, the concessionaire that operates the N4 toll road from Pretoria to Maputo, says un-roadworthy vehicles and speeding are the major causes of serious accidents.
TRAC spokesperson Anita Heyl said a taxi accident near Middelburg in Mpumalanga on 12 November, which claimed 12 lives, was caused when the vehicle's tyre burst. A second taxi accident on 7 December, in which a vehicle plunged into the Olifants River between Middelburg and Emalahleni, causing the death of 11 people, was caused by speeding.
"Eye witnesses said it seemed that the driver in the second accident had lost control, but in both incidents the vehicles were travelling at high speeds," said Heyl.
She said TRAC constantly analysed accident hot spots on the N4 to find patterns and put safety measures in place.
"But even if we can provide the safest possible route, drivers have to take equal responsibility for road safety and for their and their passengers' lives," said Heyl.
She said the 122 accidents reported on the N4 toll route were caused by tyres bursting, speeding and losing control of vehicles, negligent driving and unsafe overtaking.
"We find people making U-turns on the highway, overtaking on solid lines and driving aggressively. In Schoemanskloof, where TRAC is busy with construction, we've seen cars travel in excess of 100km/h in 60 km/h construction zones.
"Road signs to reduce speed and numerous other danger warnings seem to have no visible effect on speeding motorists and trucks, and the total lack of obedience to traffic signs is shocking," said Heyl.
She added that traffic was expected to peak on the N4 on December 15, 16, 24 and 31 in an easterly direction, and on 2 and 9 January in a westerly direction.
"No construction or upgrading work will be done from 15 December to 10 January on the N4 toll road, but drivers are asked to take care on the Schoemanskloof road at De Beers Nek, where the eastbound lane is temporarily closed to traffic," said Heyl.
To combat the use of unsafe tyres by motorists, TRAC will be also performing tyre pressure checks free of charge at the Alzu Petroport near Wonderfontein between Middelburg and Belfast between 10am and 5pm on Wednesday, Heyl said.
