The Eastern Cape province has witnessed a sharp increase in road fatalities this December, with the death toll already reaching 90, prompting serious concerns about road safety as the festive season continues. Two recent crashes claimed the lives of eight people, further highlighting the dangers facing motorists in the region. With a steady rise in fatal accidents and disturbing trends in reckless driving, authorities fear that the province’s road death toll for 2024 could exceed the already alarming figures recorded in 2023.
As of mid-December, the Eastern Cape’s provincial transport department has expressed deep concern over the sharp uptick in road fatalities. “The situation is extremely dire, and it is growing worse as the festive season progresses,” says Xolile Nqatha, the Eastern Cape Transport MEC. “If this trend continues, we are looking at an even higher death toll than what we saw last year.”
The recent fatalities are part of a broader pattern that has seen tragic accidents become an all-too-familiar occurrence on the province’s roads. In one of the latest incidents, eight people died in two separate crashes, further raising alarm among local authorities. While the causes of these crashes remain under investigation, the provincial transport department has highlighted reckless driving, speeding, and driving under the influence of alcohol as the key contributing factors.
Eastern Cape roads has hit 90
In addition to the tragic fatalities, the province has been battling a surge in drunk driving incidents. Since the start of the festive season, nearly 3,000 people have been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Buffalo City Metro alone. This staggering number underlines the persistent problem of impaired driving, which remains a major contributor to road accidents and deaths in the region.
The festive period typically sees an increase in traffic volumes across the country, with many people traveling to visit family, friends, or holiday destinations. Unfortunately, this also leads to an increase in risky driving behaviors, as some drivers neglect basic road safety rules in favor of faster travel. The danger is particularly high in rural areas of the Eastern Cape, where the roads are often poorly lit, and road signs or markings may be lacking.
Local authorities are working tirelessly to combat these issues through increased law enforcement and public awareness campaigns aimed at promoting road safety. However, the challenge remains immense. Despite these efforts, MEC Nqatha stresses that law enforcement cannot solve the problem alone. “We need a concerted effort from all road users to make our roads safer. Reckless drivers are giving our province a bad reputation, and this cannot continue,” Nqatha said.
The provincial transport department has warned motorists to exercise extreme caution on the roads, especially during the peak of the holiday season. Authorities have urged people to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol, to adhere strictly to speed limits, and to wear seat belts at all times. They are also calling for drivers to remain alert, particularly in the early hours of the morning and at night, when accidents tend to occur more frequently.
As the death toll continues to rise, the Eastern Cape government is considering more aggressive measures, including roadblocks and increased patrols, to curb the growing menace of reckless and drunk driving. Despite the challenges, officials remain hopeful that greater public awareness and enforcement will help reduce fatalities as the province moves into the new year.
In conclusion, the alarming rise in road fatalities in the Eastern Cape is a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk on the province’s roads. With over 90 deaths already recorded this month, and nearly 3,000 arrests for drunk driving in Buffalo City Metro alone, the festive season has proven to be a particularly perilous time for motorists. Local authorities continue to grapple with these issues, but the situation will require a collective effort from all road users to ensure that lives are not lost unnecessarily.
source – enca
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