Durban – At least five people have died in a head-on collision along the R102, Darnall, KwaZulu-Natal, prompting provincial authorities to increase traffic officer visibility.
“We wish to express our deepest condolences to the families of the 5 victims of a road accident that occurred last night…,” said KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma in a statement on Sunday, (6 October 2024).
“Our team from Road Traffic Inspectorate is working with SAPS as part of establishing the cause of the accident.
“Preliminary investigation indicates that two vehicles collided head-on at high speed.”
MEC Duma added: “We undertake to ensure that we are closer to the families of the deceased during this difficult period.
“Unfortunately, this road accident took place after the Inter-faith Road Safety Prayer involving religious leaders and communities.”
MEC Duma also revealed that between now and the festive season, road safety campaigns involving a multi-disciplinary team of law enforcement officers will be intensified.
The roadblocks in various strategic routes will focus on drunken driving, roadworthiness, and other offences.
“Yesterday morning we conducted a successful roadblock in Oribi Toll Plaza, in Ugu District Municipality,” said MEC Duma.
The achievements include:
- 671 vehicles were stopped;
- 50 motorists were charged for traffic offenses;
- 6 taxis were impounded for Transporting passengers without operating licenses;
- 1 driver was arrested for drunken driving. He is a police stationed at the King Shaka International Airport;
- 4 vehicles were suspended for unroadworthiness
- 5 foreign nationals were arrested by the Immigration & Customs Unit of the Department of Home Affairs for being in the country illegally without permits.
“Critically, as we move forward we undertake to intensify our road safety campaigns by focusing on key areas,” said MEC Duma.
Education and Awareness
“Through Traffic Reporters such as Ayanda Msweli, we are planning to rollout road safety and awareness campaigns,” said MEC Duma.
“We will be targeting young people who are yet to acquire driver’s licenses.
“We want to teach them good driving habits before they acquire bad driving habits such as drinking and driving and not wearing seatbelts.”
Strict Learners and Driving License Processes
“We want to create a new culture. We say to communities, you must not get a driver’s licence in a hurry just because it is a requirement for the job,” said MEC Duma.
“We want to use life skills period to teach young people about road safety in South Africa.
“By the time our learners are 17 years of age they must receive their learner’s licence, by the time they are 18 years of age they must receive their driver’s licence.”
A week ago about 33 people appeared before the Richards Bay Magistrate’s Court for acquiring driver’s licenses through fraudulent processes.
To date, the list has increased to 67. We are intensifying our fight against fraudulent syndicates operating in various licensing centers in municipalities.
Road Infrastructure
“We continue to use cutting-edge technology as we construct roads that are safe and user-friendly,” said MEC Duma.
“A total of R8,7 billion is being spent on transport infrastructure.”
MEC Duma said over R3,7 billion was going into constructing new infrastructural projects (roads and bridges), while over R4 billion had been set aside to maintain the road network.
He said in addition, over R58 million is going into infrastructure planning and design, with over R920 million being allocated to support programmes within transport infrastructure.
