GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The Eastern Cape has seen a staggering increase in road fatalities over the festive season.
A report released by the Eastern Cape MEC for Transport and Community Safety Xolile Nqatha at the end of December, revealed that 202 people died between 1 and 28 December.
This represents an increase of 105 fatalities compared to 97 deaths recorded during the same period in 2023.
Deadliest roads
The N2 and R61 have proven to be the deadliest roads with 42 and 21 fatalities respectively, while a collision on the N9 near Graaff-Reinet was the single deadliest accident.
This head-on crash on Monday 16 December between a Hyundai Creta with six occupants and a fully loaded minibus taxi travelling from the Western Cape, left 14 people dead.
The steep rise in fatalities and accidents is in spite of many roadblocks conducted since the start of the festive season.
Drunk drivers and speeding
According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) statistics from roadblocks indicate that drunken driving and speeding continue to be the two leading causes of road incidents in the Eastern Cape. In December 455 people were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
23 not roadworthy
In the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality roadblocks were conducted by both municipal and provincial law enforcement officers.
The latest roadblock by provincial law enforcement was the interprovincial roadblock (Eastern and Western Cape) on the R61 at Rooidam near Aberdeen on Sunday 5 January. Of the 759 vehicles stopped for inspection, 58 drivers received fines, two were arrested for drunken driving and 23 unroadworthy vehicles were removed from the road.
Both the National Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa and the Western Cape Minister of Mobility Isaac Sileku, were present at this roadblock.
Minister has near-miss
On 3 January, Sileku narrowly avoided a collision when the vehicle he was travelling in was almost driven off the road by a reckless driver on the N1 between Three Sisters and Beaufort West.
The reckless driver, who was overtaking multiple vehicles and forcing others off the road, was tracked down at an Engen garage and apprehended as part of the Average Speed Over Distance (ASOD) operation on the N1.
Records revealed the driver had been travelling at a staggering 182km/h in a 120km/h zone.
The driver was arrested for excessive speeding, a serious offence that endangers the lives of all other road users.
Sileku, who was deeply concerned by the incident, said the speeding driver is a stern reminder of the dangers posed by irresponsible behaviour on roads.
"Every motorist has a role to play in ensuring safety on our roads. By adhering to speed limits, exercising patience, and showing consideration for fellow road users, we can prevent unnecessary tragedies and save lives."
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