Three people including two minors were injured in the head-on collision on Vincent Dickinson Road in Ndwedwe, on Sunday afternoon
An increase in fatalities has been recorded by KwaZulu-Natal as the provincial Department of Transport, on Monday, confirmed 47 road deaths over the long Easter weekend.
According to the department, their preliminary road accident reports revealled that there were 37 crashes resulting in 47 fatalities in various parts of the province, between 1 and 4 April. This showed a staggering increase when compared to the five crashes and six fatalities recorded in the same period in 2020, while the country was under Level 5 Covid-19 nationwide lockdown. During the same period in 2019, there was a total of 31 crashes resulting in 40 fatalities being recorded in KZN. The MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni, said evidence suggests that most accidents on the road are as a result of human behaviour such as speeding, overloading and driving under the influence of alcohol.
“Road fatalities are a major concern to the provincial government; however, it takes each individual to play their part in curbing the high rate of accidents that occur each year on our roads. No matter how many law enforcement officers we may deploy, we can never be able to police every aspect of motorists’ behaviour, so this calls for us to individually take responsibility for our actions when we get behind the steering wheel.” This was evident in Tongaat and Verulam over the weekend as there were several accidents resulting in multiple injuries. In Indwedwe, three people including two minors were injured following a head-on collision on Vincent Dickinson Road, on Sunday afternoon. First responders, Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) said the near-fatal collision between a white Nissan Hardbody bakkie and a white BMW occurred after 6.30pm.
RUSA spokesperson, Prem Balram, said the occupants of the bakkie explained that they were travelling from Verulam to Ndwedwe when the BMW which was travelling in the opposite direction veered into their lane.
“The driver of the BMW fled the scene on foot leaving behind three intoxicated passengers. Three people including two minors were treated for mild to moderate injuries before being transported to a local hospital by ambulance.” Alcohol was also allegedly involved in the Hazelmere crash, where a blue Toyota Hilux bakkie transporting 11 people plunged off a bridge on New Glasgow Road on Friday, at around 9.49am. The bakkie, allegedly driven by an intoxicated 16-year-old, overturned and rolled several meters down the embankment while traveling in the direction of Verulam. Balram said the teenage driver lost control of the overloaded bakkie.
“The passengers were also suspected of being under the influence of alcohol. Seven people were transported to hospital for mild to moderate injuries.” The department said the motorist with the highest alcohol content was arrested in Scottburgh and his alcohol reading was 2,68 mg/l, which is 11 times over the legal alcohol limit.
Furthermore, the highest speed recorded was on the N2 near Mtunzini in Empangeni where a motorist was caught driving at 170 kilometres an hour in a 120-kilometre zone. Nkonyeni said: “We wish to express our deepest condolences to the families of the 37 people who lost their lives in these horrific accidents that occurred over the past three days. We also wish those fighting for their lives in hospital a speedy recovery.” The department said law enforcement officers, as part of Operation Vala Easter Safety Plan, stopped 14 739 vehicles at various multi-disciplinary roadblocks throughout the province.
“This resulted in 1 345 written charges being issued, a total of 111 motorists were arrested for drunken driving, 324 motorists were charged for speeding, while 111 vehicles were suspended, and 48 vehicles impounded.
Furthermore, a total of 356 motorists were charged for various offences that include driving without a driving licence, driving an unlicensed vehicle, inconsiderate driving and failure to wear a seatbelt while driving.”
