During the media briefing, Bulwane also gave an update on the conditions of the provincial roads following the heavy rainfall experienced recently.

Bulwane says the province experienced heavy downpours and large amounts of small hail, which led to flash-flooding of roads, bridges, low-lying areas, and settlements. Some of the motorists had difficulty in driving due to reduced visibility while residents from other towns had their homes flooded, especially those in low-lying areas.

Bulwane says during the festive season's Arrive Alive campaign, the department deployed 348 traffic officers across the province to intensify law enforcement interventions and increase visibility.

The activities carried out by the department included 11 major roadblocks, 50 other roadblocks, 12 alcohol projects, 8-speed corridors, 6 truck operations, 12 road safety awareness, and 18 transport operations.

The Free State recorded the lowest increase in fatalities, namely 7,2%, moving from 111 fatalities in the previous period to 119 in this period. Bulwane also added numerous roads across the province are closed as a result of the recent storms. He informed road users to be safe and use safer alternative options when traveling.

He says the biggest challenge for the department is traffic officers, who are spending their time mending and attending to damaged roads, which might cause accidents as a result of the damages. This limits them towards attending to their respective responsibilities, which causes strain on the department's day-to-day operations.

During the briefing, he also expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives during the festive season.

OFM News