According to the Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) most accidents occurr between Thursday and Sunday.
Durban – With less than three days until the festive peak seasons starts the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has warned motorists to avoid travelling at night.
In a statement the corporation said that from an analysis of fatal crashes over previous festive seasons it showed that the number of collisions increase between the hours between 4pm and 11pm. Most accidents occurred between Thursday and Sunday.
“This could be attributable to factors such as poor visibility, fatigue, and impaired driving. The early hours of the morning before dawn are also a dangerous period in which to drive,” said RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane.
On Monday, 13 people were killed in an accident on the N1 between Winburg and Verkeerdevlei in the Free State.
“The crash between a truck and taxi happened at approximately 3.15am in the morning and the vehicles collided head on.”
“Pedestrian collisions and single vehicle overturning are the most common contributors to fatal crashes at this time of the year, and this calls for high levels of vigilance when travelling in build up areas and for motorists to take enough time to rest.
“Driving conditions are likely to be complicated by predictions of severe thunderstorms and heavy downpours in many parts of the country during this period. Motorists should reduce speed when driving in rainy conditions and be extremely cautious when crossing low lying bridges,” Zwane said.
The RTMC said 15 or more crashes have taken place in these areas in the past five years, and are accident hotspots.
Here are the list of 24 accident hot spots:
In case of an emergency, motorists may call the following numbers.
On the N3 the emergency number is 0800 63 4357, on the N4 the number is 0800 87 2264, the N1 0800 029 999 and the Sanral emergency number is 0800 0800 487.
IOL