As South Africa gears up for the festive season from December 1st, 2023, to January 15th, 2024, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has unveiled its comprehensive plan aimed at ensuring safer roads during this period of increased travel and celebrations. With a focus on curbing fatalities and promoting responsible driving, the RTMC has outlined strategic measures, concentrating police presence on critical routes notorious for accidents and violations.
The festive season is traditionally marked by elevated travel activities and celebratory events, leading to a surge in long-distance journeys, night-time driving, and heightened alcohol consumption among South Africans. Recognizing these trends, the RTMC emphasizes that the surge in travel volume often results in reckless driving behaviors, including speeding, overloaded public transport, and driver fatigue, contributing to a regrettable rise in road fatalities.
According to the RTMC’s data from the previous year, an alarming 12,436 fatalities were recorded, with the festive season alone accounting for 1,560 lives lost. This grim statistic averages to 34 motorists losing their lives each day during the festive period, accompanied by 1,299 fatal crashes.
Analyzing the distribution of fatal road crashes by province over the past five years, the top five provinces continue to contribute significantly to the fatalities. Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Limpopo, and Western Cape collectively accounted for over 70% of the fatalities in the previous year.
Hence, in a bid to address these concerning statistics, the RTMC has announced augmented law enforcement measures in the five high-risk provinces and on routes that have historically exhibited higher rates of fatalities. Notably, specific stretches such as N1 North, N4 East, N3, N2, and others will observe increased police presence through roadblocks and speed traps.
To ensure round-the-clock vigilance, highways will see officers working in shifts spanning 24/7, employing tactical blue lights and high visibility block patrol systems. Shifts will be structured across three time slots: 06:00 to 14:00, 14:00 to 22:00, and 22:00 to 06:00. The RTMC underlines the significance of intensified law enforcement operations from 15h00 to midnight, based on compelling statistical evidence.
Traffic officers will be actively targeting and cracking down on specific offenses, notably drinking and driving, speeding, and vehicles deemed unworthy. Last year’s focus on defective brakes, burst tyres, and faulty lights will persist, with stringent actions planned for vehicles found with these defects, including possible impoundment.
Highlighting critical routes with a history of fatal crashes over the last five years, the RTMC underscores the top 10 most dangerous stretches of roads. Predominantly situated in the Eastern Cape, the R573 Moloto Road in Mpumalanga stands out as the deadliest stretch, witnessing 33 fatal crashes and claiming 38 lives last year. Dutywa on the N2 in the Eastern Cape and Mankweng on the R71 in Limpopo follow closely, with 29 and 27 fatal crashes, respectively.
In a concerted effort to curb fatalities and promote road safety during the festive season, the RTMC’s meticulous plan aims to deter reckless driving behaviors and ensure heightened vigilance across critical routes. With a strategic focus on law enforcement, this initiative endeavors to safeguard the lives of all road users in South Africa.
