North West road fatalities decrease by 29%

North West – The Department of Community Safety and Transport Management member of the executive council (MEC), Sello Lehari expressed his joy regarding the reduction of road fatalities on the North West roads and appealed to all road users including pedestrians to continue to be responsible. 

Preliminary statistics show that there is a 29% reduction of fatalities in the province compared to 2018. 

By 31 December 2018, there were 104 fatalities and by the last day of 2019, this figure decreased significantly.

Lehari attributes this to the dedication of the law enforcement officers and the department staff who worked day and night to ensure law enforcement compliance by road users. 

“We want to express profound thanks to our officers and staff for ensuring that motorists comply with the law,” said Lehari. 

He is however displeased with the high number of accidents that included pedestrians which almost doubled from 2018. Though Ngaka Modiri Molema District leads with crashes, Bojanala, especially Rustenburg leads with fatalities. 

The third week of December recorded the highest number of crashes (26), which are 16 less than the same period in 2018. 

Two major crashes were among the accidents recorded. The first happened on 19 December when a sedan and a bakkie collided on the N4 road between Rustenburg and Swartruggens. Five passengers died instantly while the sixth succumbed to injuries in the hospital the following day.

 
The second occurred two days later, on Saturday 21 December on the R53 road between Potchefstroom and Ventersdorp. 

Three people died on impact when two vehicles collided head-on. Five other passengers were taken to hospital with injuries. 

Although these two accidents happened during the day, there has been a significant shift in the driving patterns. 

Most road users travelled at night, between 18:00 and 06:00 – probably believing traffic is light during that time. 

To ensure that the province has the lowest possible accident stats, all road users are implored to be extra careful and patient. 

Lehari said law enforcement officers must be visible at all times, especially on arterial routes including N4, N12, N14, N18, R49, R30, and R503. 

“Deployment of law enforcement officers will be intensified on all roads in and through the province. We will also continue to have unannounced stop and search operations in all areas of the province,” Lehari concluded.