RTMC to assist Eastern Cape to improve road safety

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has announced that it will step in to strengthen efforts to reduce road crashes and fatalities in the Eastern Cape as holidaymakers prepare to return to the cities and workplaces in the coming days. 

In a statement, the RTMC said the interventions will involve the mobilisation of traditional leaders, engagement of public transport operators and will seek to reduce crashes and fatalities in a district with a number of high crashes and fatalities in the province.

“The analysis of fatal crash statistics since the start of the festive season has revealed the Amathole District in the Eastern Cape as one of the top ten districts experiencing a high number of crashes and fatalities nationally. 

“The district is one of seven districts in the province and it stretches from Idutywa to Fort Beaufort and includes towns such as Butterworth and Stutterheim,” the RTMC said. 

Statistics have further revealed that fatal crashes in this district involved public transport vehicles that had driven long distances between the Western Cape or Gauteng without sufficient rest.

“Law enforcers and the South African Taxi Council have observed that some drivers did not depart from designated areas in district during peak period and travelled inter-provincially to pick up passengers and were fatigued when the crashes occurred,” the RTMC said. 

Other districts that will be given attention due to the high number of fatal crashes are eThekwini, City of Johannesburg, City Cape Town, City of Tshwane, Capricorn, Ekurhuleni, Cape Winelands, Vhembe and Fezile Dabi.

“Traffic is expected to peak again from January 1 to the 6^th and law enforcement will intensify focus on public transport and visibility. A dedicated team has been put in place to monitor implementation of the road interventions and progress.

“Motorists are reminded to plan their routes appropriately and avoid travelling at night. Statistics show that 37.6% of fatal crash occur between 18:00 and 01:00 and involved pedestrians,” the RTMC said. – SAnews.gov.za