South African traffic authorities say strong law enforcement will be put in place to ensure compliance among truck companies. This comes after a number of fatal truck accidents on the country’s roads over the past three months. More than 55 people have died in more than 70 accidents since the beginning of March with an increase in the number of truck accidents.
Three people died when a truck plunged into a hotel in Tshwane last week while two others were also killed and 24 injured after a truck accident in Willowvale in the Eastern Cape two weeks ago. The Road Traffic Management Corporation’s Muthuhadini Madzivhandila says: “Trucks are not properly serviced; most of the accidents are caused by brake failures as well as overloading.”
Limpopo has the worst record with18 truck accidents and 15 deaths in the last three months. Eight people have died in 16 accidents in Gauteng, while in KwaZulu-Natal 14 accidents have left 12 people dead.
The Road Freight Association’s Gavin Kelley says: “Generally it seems that trucks are getting involved in accidents where light motor vehicles keep turning in front of them. They don’t give them enough time to slowdown so you have this head trail effect.”
Traffic officials have called on companies to ensure their trucks are properly serviced, and that their drivers are given enough rest time between trips.
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