{"id":295858,"date":"2025-12-09T14:51:53","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T12:51:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/?p=295858"},"modified":"2025-12-09T14:55:48","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T12:55:48","slug":"western-cape-road-deaths-surge-ahead-of-festive-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/western-cape-road-deaths-surge-ahead-of-festive-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Western Cape road deaths surge ahead of festive season"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With the end-of-year festivities looming large on the horizon and South Africans ready to criss-cross the country’s roads, road deaths in the Western Cape are already climbing at an alarming rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Western Cape Traffic Services, 99 people died in road crashes across the province in November alone, with 26 of those fatalities occurring on major routes like the N1, N2 and N7. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maxine Bezuidenhout, provincial chief director of traffic management, says that as holiday traffic builds, drivers face growing pressure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She adds that the deadly mix of speeding, reckless overtaking, fatigue, alcohol and unroadworthy vehicles is putting more lives at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"festive
Traffic Services has implemented a comprehensive festive enforcement strategy which includes high-visibility patrols on major routes. Photo: Supplied<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith early holiday travel underway, traffic volumes are increasing significantly, placing additional pressure on drivers. Unfortunately, this often results in poor decision-making under these conditions, leading to serious and sometimes fatal crashes.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bezuidenhout urges road users to exercise patience, obey the rules of the road, and make responsible choices to ensure everyone\u2019s safety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speeding and reckless overtaking have been highlighted as major risks and remain the leading causes of serious and often fatal crashes, she elaborates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDuring the festive period, our roads experience high traffic volumes, and one reckless manoeuvre can result in multiple vehicle collisions with devastating consequences. These behaviours remain amongst the leading causes of fatal crashes on provincial roads.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vehicle checks<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Bezuidenhout urged motorists to ensure that their vehicles are fully roadworthy before undertaking any long-distance travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key checks include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Tyres<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Brakes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Lights and indicators<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Windscreen and wipers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Fluid levels ( oil and water checks)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 This is also applicable to trailers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDrivers can address these risks by having their vehicles inspected at roadworthy centers, services regularly maintained, and by ensuring that any defects are repaired before travelling,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pedestrians<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

According to Bezuidenhout, serious and fatal pedestrian crashes occur in residential areas and along major provincial routes, particularly after dark. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She warns motorists and pedestrians to remain vigilant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pedestrians face increased danger due to:
\u00b7 Poor nighttime visibility<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Alcohol impairment \u2013 pedestrians walking while intoxicated<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Higher traffic volumes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Unsafe road-crossing behaviour<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To mitigate the carnage, Traffic Services has implemented a comprehensive festive enforcement strategy<\/a> which includes among others 24-hour operational deployments and high-visibility patrols on major routes, says Bezuidenhout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She says these plans will intensify daily throughout the festive season to enhance road safety and compliance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bezuidenhout cautions that trips should be planned and drivers<\/a> should rest before taking on their long journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo journey is worth losing a life, the most important destination this festive season is arriving alive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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