The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr. Mxolisi Kaunda, has urged motorists and other road users to be vigilant and patient as they drive on and use roads in light of the prevailing bad weather conditions.
The wet and cold weather hit the province and other parts of the country since Friday, and has already led to several crashes in the province reported over the weekend and today.
Among these are the Friday’s (the 12th of May 2017) crash in Dundee, involving two vehicles, a white Toyota minibus and a white Mitsubishi, and resulted in the injury of 10 school children from Dundee Junior, Primary and Secondary schools, and other occupants. All the injured persons were taken to Dundee Hospital to receive medical attention.
In a separate crash on the N2 near the Mtunzini toll plaza, three vehicles including a Toyota Tazz, Peugeot, and a VW Polo rear-ended each other, leaving one person dead.
On Saturday, 13th of May 2017, two trucks collided head-on on the N3 near Van Reenen, and upon impact one of them caught fire, killing one of the entrapped occupant burnt to death. Yet, on the same day, two mini buses on the M13 collided and left 13 people injured.
On Sunday, the 14th of May 2017, along the N2-Uthukela, a VW Golf went underneath a truck, killing one person instantly.
There are a number of crashes that have since been reported since this morning across the province on the N3 near eShongweni, N3 Mariannhill Plaza, N3 EB Cloete road and N2 Kwamashu Highway off-ramp.
“I would like to caution motorists and other road users to strictly observe road rules and signs including reducing speed, following a safe following distance, fastening seatbelts and exercising patience, especially in these prevailing, wet weather conditions.””
Furthermore, we wish to appeal to motorists to switch their headlights and pedestrians to weather reflector jackets or similar safe-wise clothing, all in the interest of ensuring that we avoid road crashes and save people’s lives. On behalf of the provincial government, I also wish the injured persons a speedy recovery and send our deepest condolences to the families and friend of the citizens we lost over the weekend,” said Kaunda.
Advice for Safe Driving in Bad Weather Conditions https://t.co/MrQuAUBhGL #ArriveAlive pic.twitter.com/dgJ83Hq5YY
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) April 13, 2017