The Northern Cape MEC of Transport, Safety & Liaison, Lebogang Motlhaping, delivered the keynote address at the launch of the provincial festive season road safety campaign that was held at the weigh bridge on the N1 by Colesburg on 26 November 2018.
He shared the following critical accident-prone routes in the Northern Cape and urged motorists to be extra vigilant along these routes :
R 31 Hotazel-Kuruman-Daniëlskuil-Barkly West-Kimberley : Hazardous – most accidents are fatal due to daily heavy traffic from mining and other activities.
N 1 Warrenton-Jan Kempdorp-Hartswater-Taung : Hazardous – most accidents are fatal due to daily heavy traffic from farming and other activities
N 1 Christiana-Warrenton-Kimberley-Modderrivier-Hope Town-Brits Town-3 Sisters : Hazardous – most accidents are fatal due to daily heavy traffic from tourist, business and other activities
N 14 Vryburg-Kuruman-Kathu-Olifantshoek-Upington-Kakamas-Springbok : Hazardous – most accidents are fatal due to daily heavy congestion from mining, business and other activities
N 8 Groblershoop-Kimberley-Bloemfontein : Heavily congested
R 385 Olifantshoek-Postmasburg-Daniëlskuil : Heavily congested
N9 Upington-Groblershoop-Brits Town-De Aar-Hanover : Seasonal congestion due to leisure and other activities. Impaired, reckless and negligent driving poses the biggest threat.
N 1 Bloemfontein-Colesberg-Richmond-Beaufort West : Heavily congested due to business and holiday activities.
N 7 Kamieskroon-Springbok-Steinkopf
The MEC also shared some critical information that could assist in avoiding the probability of an accident or enable motorists to be at increased alertness. Accidents happen mostly on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The time period between 16:00 to midnight remains the time when most incidents occur.
Vehicles mostly involved in accidents include light motor vehicles, light delivery vehicles and mini bus taxis.
The main causes of accidents include tyre bursts, failed brakes and passenger overloads.
Contributing factors include driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding, cellphone use while driving, not wearing seatbelts, dangerous overtaking, lack of vehicle fitness, pedestrian negligence, driver fatigue, sharp bends and jaywalking.
