Tragic Easter Weekend: Vehicle Collision Marks Holiday Conclusion
Image source: Emergency responders rushed five people to hospital in a critical condition on Friday morning following a crash on the corner of the R55 and Lochner Road is Raslouw (via the Citizen)
Published by: Dimphotsentle Pule
Authorities are counting how many accidents happened on the roads across the province as Easter weekend comes to an end.
Former President Jacob Zuma’s Convoy Hit by Alleged Drunk Driver at Start of Long Weekend
During Thursday evening, as the long weekend kicked off, an accident occurred involving former President Jacob Zuma’s convoy. The incident happened when a suspected drunk driver collided with Zuma’s convoy.
In KwaZulu-Natal, police arrested a 51-year-old man in relation to the crash involving the former president’s vehicle.
Authorities have charged the man with drunken driving, as well as reckless and negligent driving.
Fortunately, neither Zuma nor his bodyguards sustained any injuries in the collision.
Traffic officials have been monitoring traffic on the country’s busy routes. More than 20 taxis were confiscated at the Marianhill toll plaza on the N3 in KwaZulu-Natal.
The minister shared worries about the increasing number of drunk driving cases reported recently. She mentioned, ‘We’ve noticed a significant rise in dangerous driving across the country, often influenced by factors like drunk driving and speeding… Many accidents occur at night, and unfortunately, many involve intoxicated individuals.’
Notable statistics showing several tragic incidents resulting in loss of life this past weekend:
- 225 people lost their lives in 185 road accidents over the four-day Easter long weekend. This marked a significant increase compared to the 161 fatalities recorded during Easter holiday in the past year.
- In Gauteng, over 20 people lost their lives on the road since Thursday. The major causes of raod crashes including reckless and negligent driving, speeding, cell phone use while driving, unsafe overtaking, and failure to consider road conditions.
- In Pretoria, multiple vehicle accidents claimed lives and seriously injured motorists during the Easter weekend. One tragic death involved a crash on the N1 South near the Olifantsfontein off-ram, resulting in the deaths of two children and five others injured.
- In another incident, a crash occured on the corner of the R55 and Loche Road in Raslouw, where three people were killed and seven were seriosuly injured when a light motor vehicle collided with a light utility vehicle
While these numbers are distressing, it underscores the importance of road safety and responsible driving. Let us all strive for safer journeys and remember those who lost their lives during this holiday period.
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