Road death toll mounts after 10 die in N7 crash

IN THE fourth high-fatality crash on Western Cape roads this month, 10 people – seven adults and three children, died in a crash on the N7 between Vanrhynsdorp and Klawer on Sunday.

The crash happened seven days after 13 people, including two children, were killed in a head-on collision between a truck and a bus along the N1 at the Hex River Pass, near De Doorns.

Eight days ago, six people, four of whom were children, were killed in a three-car pile-up on the R43 near Villiersdorp.

Five people were killed on the same day in a crash involving a sedan, a bakkie, and a bus along the N1 between Prince Albert and Laingsburg.

Mobility MEC Ricardo Mackenzie said yesterday that one person sustained minor injuries in the crash involving a truck and a bakkie on Sunday.

The cause of the head-on collision was yet to be determined.

“It is with great sadness that I extend my condolences to the loved ones of the 10 people who died in a road crash on the N7 between Vanrhynsdorp and Klawer on Sunday.

“It is a devastating reminder of the importance of road safety for everyone using our roads.

“Our provincial traffic officers will be out in full force during the upcoming school holiday and Easter period, enforcing the law to ensure the safety of all road users,” he said.

Meanwhile, 278 integrated roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints and speed control operations were conducted in the past week.

A total of 7 559 fines were issued for traffic violations.

Nineteen vehicles were impounded and 139 were discontinued for being unroadworthy.

Mackenzie said 245 speeding offences were recorded.

A total of 56 arrests were made for offences including driving under the influence of alcohol, overloading, possession of fraudulent documentation and possession of an illegal substance.