Most fatal accidents on South Africa’s roads are caused by private cars.
A five-year crash analysis report by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) also indicated that light delivery vehicles contributed the second-highest number of fatal accidents on the country’s roads.
“Sedans and other private vehicles are the highest contributors to fatal crashes – 46%,” spokesman Simon Zwane said.
“Light delivery vehicles contribute 17%, minibuses, kombis and midibuses 9%, trucks 5%, buses 1% [and] motorcycles 9%.”
This came after a deadly weekend during which five people were killed and six seriously injured on Eastern Cape roads.
Provincial Traffic Department deputy director Charles Bramwell said that in one of the crashes, alcohol was believed to have played a part, as empty alcohol bottles were apparently found in one of the cars.
At about 4.30am on Sunday, three people were killed when a VW Polo and a Mercedes-Benz crashed on the R75 between Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage. The Polo was reportedly overtaking the Mercedes near the KwaDwesi turnoff.
In another accident on the R72 outside Alexandria at 7am on Saturday, two people were killed and two more seriously injured when a bakkie and a truck carrying rice collided.
Zwane said the three main causes of fatal accidents were human error, unroadworthy vehicles and environmental or road-related factors.
“Human error – including driving at [high] speed, driving under the influence of liquor or drugs, and reckless and negligent driving – is the leading cause, contributing to 79% of all fatal crashes, followed by environmental or road factors [13%] – sharp bends, poor visibility, slippery surfaces and stray animals.”
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