Crackdown on negligent motorists

CRIMINAL charges will be brought against motorists found to have caused collisions through negligence, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has warned .

Spokesman Simon Zwane said: “The flagrant disregard of road rules and driver negligence are suspected in two multiple crashes that resulted in the death of six people and injury to about 65 this weekend.”

In the first incident, on the R617 near Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal early on Saturday, three people were killed and 60 injured when a bus, car and bakkie collided. All the occupants of the car died at the scene. The occupants of the bus and bakkie sustained moderate to light injuries, Zwane said.

The second incident took place on the N1 near Naboomspruit in Limpopo on Saturday evening and involved two cars and two bakkies. “Three people died and seven were injured.”

Initial information in both incidents seemed to indicate a driver left his or her lane when it was not safe to do so. Investigations were under way to determined the exact causes of the crashes.

Zwane reiterated the RTMC’s call for motorists to respect the rules of the road and avoid reckless and negligent driving.

“The RTMC warns that criminal charges will be brought against motorists found to have caused collisions through negligence.” – ANA