By Marcus Moloko
High traffic volumes are expected on all major routes in the country this weekend as the festive season holidays come to an end.
Law enforcement officers will maintain high levels of visibility, and motorists are advised to plan their trips carefully.
Motorists are advised to avoid travelling at night, Arrive Alive warned, as evidence showed that most deadly crashes occurred after sunset and in the early hours of the morning.
Travel data analysed since the start of the festive season road safety campaign on December 1 shows that 21 percent of fatal crashes happen between 7 PM and 10 P,M and six percent between midnight and 1 am.
“These are the times when most head-on collisions have taken place, claiming many lives,” Arrive Alive cautioned in a statement.
Drivers are urged to take sufficient breaks to avoid fatigue.
Public transport operators are called upon to avoid overloading and to ensure that their permits are valid for the routes they operate on.
Public transport operators are further called upon to desist from loading and offloading passengers at unsafe spots, as this increases the risk of pedestrian crashes.
More than 4700 public transport vehicles have been impounded for contravention of operator permits. Another 12 600 vehicles have been discontinued for roadworthy-related infringements.
Motorists are also advised to check the weather forecast and ensure that they don’t drive through storms and do not cross over flooded bridges.
Motorists are reminded to reduce speed when driving in rainy conditions, increase the following distance between vehicles, and have their lights on.
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