SA's deadliest road named

MORE people are likely to be killed on the N2 between East London and Mthatha, in Eastern Cape, over the festive season than on any road in the country.

If data collected by the National Rolling Enforcement Plan and the Road Traffic Management Corporation between January 1 2008 and December 31 2010 are anything to go by, motorists should be extra cautious in the coastal province.

An average of 90 people are killed in car crashes every year on that stretch of the N2.

Further up the N2, between Mthatha and Kokstad, an average of 77 people are killed every year.

Eastern Cape roads, according to the Department of Transport, are the worst for fatalities - they accounted for 156 road-accident deaths between December 1 last year and January 10.

This is more than half of the 288 people killed on monitored Eastern Cape roads.

The corporation's spokesman, Ashref Ismail, cautioned holiday travellers, saying traffic authorities were determined to reduce the number of road accidents.

Limpopo ranked second in terms of road fatalities, with an average of 240 deaths a year on its monitored roads.

Ismail said the high demand for public transport over the holidays led to some owners providing sub-standard taxis for long-distance travel.

"They prey on passengers' desperation to go home to their families and put their lives in jeopardy."

Department of T ransport statistics released in January showed 1475 road deaths during the festive season last year. More than 70% of the fatal crashes were head-on and were a result of dangerous overtaking.

"Most accidents occur due to the irresponsible behaviour of drivers," said Department of Transport spokesman Tiyani Rikhotso. "They are negligent and display total disregard for other road users."

Rikhotso said the department was not adequately equipped to curb accidents.

"Drivers need to learn how to police themselves. All negative driving behaviour needs to be erased."

At least 1212 people were arrested for drunken driving in October and 526000 fines were issued for various traffic offences from December 1 last year to January .