KwaZulu-Natal started the long weekend on a sombre note following a multiple vehicle crash just before Mariannhill Toll Plaza.
According to the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), a truck travelling from Zimbabwe collided into six trucks and five cars, killing the Zimbabwean truck driver on Friday night.
Then between Friday night and early yesterday morning, 14 people were arrested in Pietermaritzburg for driving under the influence of alcohol.
KwaZulu-Natal is still expected to welcome more than 603 000 domestic visitors and more than 63 000 international visitors this festive season.
Some of the visitors will be arriving over this long weekend and staying over until the first week of January.
Siboniso Duma, the KZN MEC for Transport, said through their road infrastructure, they were making it easy for visitors to travel to different tourism destinations.
“We are also welcoming back many people who are working outside this province but will be returning home to spend time with their loved ones. In this regard, we have decided to strengthen our road safety measures, especially during this long weekend,” said Duma.
The South African National Road Agency and Road Traffic Management Corporation, said KZN will see an increase in traffic volume along the N3, N2 and N11 with a projected holiday traffic increase ranging from 30% to 100% above the average daily traffic at peak times.
Duma highlighted that crashes during December have increased by 13% as compared to last year with fatalities having a 5% increase as well.
“In 2023 we had 56 crashes and in 2024 we had 63 crashes. In terms of fatalities, in 2023 we had 61 and in 2024 we had 64,” said Duma.
He said most of the crashes and fatalities occurred in eThekwini with 26 crashes and 26 fatalities - most of them occurring between 6am and 10am and 5pm and 1am over the weekend.
“The leading causes of accidents are speeding, drunken driving, fatigue, and roadworthiness of vehicles. The figures we have highlighted call for drastic action to be taken,” said Duma.
He said a team of more than 2 745 officers from RTI will be visible over the festive season.
“We will intensify the monitoring of speed on our roads and ensure the enforcement of traffic rules. The target is to have more than 99 speed operations across all corners of the province by the end of the festive season,” said Duma.
He said their biggest concern was the increasing number of young people dying on the roads due to being under the influence of alcohol.
“In partnership with the liquor industry, we are also rolling out an awareness campaign targeting entertainment facilities in the townships and other areas in the cities and suburbs," said Duma.
He said the opening of the Underberg RTI Satellite Station will intensify operations in their new satellite station in Van Reenen's Pass.
“We have ensured that eight provincial inspectors are moved from RTI in Ladysmith and Midway to oversee operations in Van Reenen's Pass. The officers will be paired with eight traffic trainees. Over 10 vehicles have been pooled from various stations to conduct operations.
“This road safety plan for the long weekend is aimed at reducing 206 crashes and 250 fatalities recorded during the festive season last year. We won’t tolerate reckless driving. Our message is very clear: either you comply or we send you to jail,” said Duma.
Keeping with the road safety trend, KZN Tourism and Film welcomed holidaymakers with the Summer Welcome Campaign at Shell Ultra City - South Bound in Estcourt.
“The festive season sees increased travel, making road and alcohol safety critical to ensure the well-being of holidaymakers.
“Providing safety advice helps reduce accidents and ensures visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience. We also need to inform them how to stay safe on the roads as well as at the beaches and the places they are visiting,” said Pinky Radebe, head of communications at KZN Tourism and Film.
The campaign provided safety advice during interactions with KZN Tourism ambassadors as well as information on safe travel and responsible behaviour through distributed souvenirs while engaging with games and activities that educate visitors about road and alcohol safety in a fun, interactive manner.