By Johannah Malogadihlare
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) plans on bolstering efforts to reduce road crashes and fatalities in the Eastern Cape as holidaymakers start heading home soon.
It said on Thursday that interventions would involve traditional leaders and engaging public transport operators. There would also be a focus on districts that a rate of crashes.
“The analysis of fatal crash statistics since the start of the festive season has revealed the Amathole district in the Eastern Cape in one of the top 10 districts experiencing a high number of crashes and fatalities nationally.
“The district is one of seven districts in the province, and it stretches from Idutywa to Fort Beaufort and includes towns such as Butterworth and Stutterheim,” it said in a statement.
Statistics show that fatal accidents in the district involve public transport vehicles that have travelled long distances from Gauteng or the Western Cape without taking a break.
The RTMC said that other areas that would be focused on included eThekwini, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Tshwane, Capricorn, Ekurhuleni, Cape Winelands, Vhembe and Fezile Dabi.
It said that the roads were expected to be busy until 6 January.
Motorists were urged to plan their routes appropriately and avoid travelling at night. A total of 37.6% of fatal crash occur between 6pm and 1am.
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