Death toll down to one on EC roads

ONLY one person died on Eastern Cape roads between Good Friday and Sunday, the Eastern Cape health department of health statistics show.

This is a huge improvement compared with last year when during the same period 14 deaths had been recorded.

Provincial health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said the only fatal accident occurred on Sunday in Libode after a bakkie carrying 11 passengers veered off the road and overturned in the village of Lukhuni, killing one person.

Two other passengers who were critically injured were rushed to Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital.

In an unrelated incident, the N6 between Jamestown and Komani had to be closed for several hours on Saturday after a horse and trailer truck overturned and blocked the road. “No one was injured in the accident. The Penhoek Pass had to be closed completely towards Queenstown [Komani]. Motorists were advised to use alternative routes,” Kupelo said.

The two accidents mark is a major improvement considering that 48 accidents were recorded during the 2016 Easter Weekend, including Easter Monday.

Although the health department’s statistics did not include yesterday’s incidents, Kupelo said that it was the first time such a low number had been recorded.

Transport MEC Weziwe Tikana attributed the low number to a successful road safety campaign by law-enforcement officers which included provincial traffic officers, and national police increasing their visibility on critical routes such as the N2, N6 and N10.

“Our officers implemented unannounced roadblocks, looking at overloads, driver and vehicle fitness, drunken driving, speed and warrants.

“Visibility patrols started as early as 6am [yesterday] and will continue until the roads are quiet,” Tikana said.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major-General Andre Swart said they attributed the successes to the integrated approach which enabled the participation of all lawenforcement agencies. —