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Shock as Easter death toll surges
from XPRESS TIMES
by Ahmed Desai
'Human error' blamed for road accidents
By Musa Mnyandu
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The death of three people in a horror accident that happened on Saturday, on the N2 near Mandeni, added to the rise in road fatalities during the ended Easter weekend. The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) confirmed on Monday that the death toll this Easter long weekend had surged when compared to a year earlier.
The accident in Mandeni resulted in one person sustaining serious injuries, with IPSS Medical Rescue's advanced life support paramedics being activated to stabilize the patient before transportation to hospital for further care.
RTMC said, while the Department of Transport is still consolidating and verifying the final death toll for the
Easter weekend, six of the nine South African provinces had reported an increase from last year's figures. The most horrific accident was reported in KZN after 35 vehicles were involved in a pile-up on the N3 near Hilton, resulting in five people losing their lives.
RTMC added that, as of Monday this week, more than 75 000 vehicles had been stopped in operations across the country, with more than 700 drivers being charged for various traffic offences.
Transport Minister Cindy Chikunga, who was deployed in KZN during the Easter weekend, attributed many of the accidents to human factor. Chikunga, who participated in operations involving a multi-disciplinary team of law enforcement agencies, said it was clear that motorists were still averse to observing the rules of the road.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and
KDM Deputy Mayor laid to rest
Liaison Sipho Hlomuka expressed disappointment at the road accidents in the province over the Easter weekend.
“As provincial authorities, we are hugely disappointed with the fatal crashes recorded during this Easter weekend. We appeal to those who will be continuing with their journey and those who are still going to embark to be on high alert and ensure maximum adherence to traffic regulations,” stated MEC Hlomuka.
