The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has expressed concerns over a sharp increase in traffic revenues traffic fatalities in the Free State, making it the only province in the country to record an increase in deaths, with all others reporting a decrease.
According to traffic fatality statistics analyzed by the RTMC, the province has recorded 315 fatalities so far this year, including 105 pedestrian fatalities.
The figures represent a 23% increase in road fatalities compared to the same period last year.
In response to the deteriorating situation, RTMC Chief Executive Officer Adv Makhosini Msibi on Thursday convened an urgent meeting with senior managers from the municipalities of Maluti-a-Phofung, Dihlabeng, Metsimaholo, Mangaung and Matjhabeng to discuss measures aimed at reducing pedestrian fatalities in the province.
Representatives from the Free State departments of Transport and Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs also attended the meeting.
The RTMC described the increase as “dramatic,” noting that all other provinces had recorded a decline over the same period.
The discussions come as authorities prepare for an expected increase in traffic volume over the upcoming long weekend.
The RTMC warned that road fatalities tend to increase on weekends, with the risk becoming even greater during long weekends and the winter season.
Because Tuesday is a holiday, the company expects many people will take Monday off, essentially creating an extended long weekend.
“The statistics show that the number of fatalities in residential areas increases dramatically during such periods. The statistics show that 52.5% of accidents happen on Fridays and Saturdaysresulting in more than half of all fatalities,” the RTMC said.
The meeting decided that urgent interventions should be implemented to reduce the number of fatalities and improve road safety in the province.
Provincial authorities will closely monitor the implementation of these measures and submit regular progress reports to national authorities.
The RTMC’s road safety concerns extend beyond pedestrian fatalities, with recent enforcement operations also drawing widespread attention non-compliance within the science transport sector.
Last week, the company announced that law enforcement authorities had seized 1,324 scientist transport vehicles in the first quarter of the year, as part of road safety operations conducted across the country.
The RTMC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation, provincial transportation departments and municipalities, has identified science transportation as a major road safety problem requiring intensified law enforcement during the winter road safety campaign.
“The company, working with the Ministry of Transportation, provincial departments and municipalities, considers the transportation of scientists as one of the fatal accident risks that warrant exceptionally intensified law enforcement operations during our winter road safety campaign.”
It warned that unroadworthy vehicles, transporting students without seatbelts, overloading and illegal forms of transporting students continue to pose significant safety risks.
According to the RTMC, inspections conducted nationwide have revealed widespread non-compliance among science carriers.
Of the 6,120 scholar transport vehicles stopped and inspected during the operations, 4,035 were found to be driving in violation of traffic laws.
Many operators were found to be operating without the required public transport permits, while others were driven by motorists who either did not have a valid driver’s license or were unable to produce one when requested. In addition, 36 drivers failed to produce a commercial driver’s license.
The RTMC said the majority of perpetrators were between 18 and 35 years old, followed by those between 35 and 45 years old.
Inspectors also found numerous vehicle defects, including problems with tires, brakes and rear stop lights. A total of 155 vehicles were found to be unlicensed, while 805 were fined for overloading.
The RTMC said the findings highlight the risks posed by non-compliant science transporters and highlight the need for sustained enforcement and stronger compliance measures to protect students and reduce avoidable road deaths.
Karen Singh
iol.co.za