Cape Town - Transport authorities have warned of “around the clock” visible policing to curb road deaths, which cost the Western Cape R21 billion last year alone, as the province gears up for the annual holiday influx.
Collisions have already begun to claim lives. About 7.30am on Monday, a person was killed when a driver lost control of an Opel Corsa bakkie and it left the road on the R27, 3km outside Van Rhynsdorp, said provincial traffic chief Kenny Africa. Africa said no other vehicle was involved.
He also confirmed that the N1 had to be closed for a while earlier this morning after another Corsa bakkie and a truck collided some 30km on the Beaufort West side of Laingsburg. Nobody was killed in this collision and Africa denied earlier reports that the two vehicles had caught fire.
The main roads have traditionally seen bumper-to-bumper traffic in the second week of December and therefore an increase in road crashes and fatalities.
During the launch of the Western Cape festive season traffic operation plan in De Doorns recently, Transport and Public Works MEC Donald Grant warned of “around the clock” visible policing to curb road deaths.
RECKLESS BEHAVIOUR
“What is supposed to be a time of joy is instead marred by reckless behaviour and peaking fatalities.
“Every year the holiday season rolls around, bringing with it heavy commuter volumes on the province’s roads.”
Grant added that 1216 people died in road accidents in the Western Cape last year. “Road injuries and death in this province cost the Western Cape economy an estimated R21bn – more than either the province’s health or education budgets,” said Grant.
The national picture looked more bleak with an estimated 17 000 lives lost every year, costing the South African economy R306bn annually.
In December 2013 and last January, 230 people died on Western Cape roads. During the same period in 2011/2012, there were 247 fatalities, and in 2010/2011 about 263 road deaths.
ENFORCEMENT 24/7
This festive season, motorists can expect “round-the-clock” enforcement operations focused on the influence of alcohol, excessive speed, driver fatigue management, driver/vehicle fitness, distracted driving, pedestrian safety, seatbelt compliance and safe following distances.
The department’s safety campaign includes the Average Speed Over Distance camera enforcement, which covers part of the N1 from Laingsburg to Touwsrivier in the Western Cape.
It is the fifth phase of the technological enforcement, covering a total of 423.2km of road in the province, which has contributed to a substantial decrease in road fatalities and speed violations on the N1, R61 and R27, indicate statistics by the provincial Transport Department. The system will also extend to parts of the N2, including Sir Lowry’s Pass.
Meanwhile, a motorcyclist died after he lost control of his bike on the N1 over the weekend.
City of Cape Town traffic spokesman Richard Coleman said: “On Friday a motorcyclist died after he lost control of his bike on the N1, underneath the Koeberg Bridge.
“And on Saturday, two people sustained serious injuries, while five others were slightly injured during a head-on collision.”
Coleman added that 15 accidents were recorded on Friday, and seven from Saturday morning until 4.30pm.
* Call the Emergency Traffic Control Centre at 021 812 4581, Roadside Emergencies on 10177 and the City of Cape Town Communications Centre at 021 596 1999.
– Additional reporting by Henri du Plessis
-Cape Argus