Chief Director of Traffic Management in the Free State, Nako Ramotsoto, says they have noticed that a large number of accidents on roads in the province have been head-on-collisions, which are caused primarily by overtaking on solid barrier lines where the road is obscured and motorists cannot see oncoming traffic properly.

Ramotsoto’s assertions came on the back of accidents in the Free State and the North West, which were head-on-collisions this weekend.

This (Monday) morning just before 05:00, two bakkies collided head-on on the notorious N8 road between Maseru and Ladybrand.

The accident left three people with minor injuries, who were then taken to the Senorita Ntlabathi District hospital at Ladybrand.

This comes after the death toll in the collision that occurred between Mahikeng and Zeerust on Sunday, December 16, rose to 13.

The accident occurred when a double cab bakkie collided head-on-with a sprinter/minibus filled with family members headed to Itsoseng, just outside the North West capital for lobola negotiations.  

MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management in the province Mpho Motlhabane told media at the scene yesterday, that the bakkie was overtaking dangerously when it collided with the sprinter.  

“This bakkie overtook almost three cars on a double barrier line and the sprinter tried to avoid the situation, but unfortunately the accident happened” says Motlhabane.

Ramotsoto also warned that speeding plays a significant role in motorists that lose control of vehicles.

This as a bakkie overturned with five occupants outside Smithfield in the Free State also on Sunday, leaving one person dead, two in a critical and two in a moderate condition.

The patients were transported to the Stoffel Coetzee Hospital by emergency medical service personnel.

The Free State traffic head advises motorists to adhere to the speed limits and stop overtaking where it is not safe to do so.

Despite the number of accidents, South African roads are very quiet at present.

Commercial Manager of the N3 Toll Concession, Con Roux says traffic volumes have decreased, but are expected to pick up again on Friday as people head to their destinations for Christmas period.

OFM News