Vuyolwethu Sangotsha

Vuyolwethu Sangotsha

Road accidents claimed more than 10 lives in the Eastern Cape over the weekend.

Provincial traffic spokesman Tshepo Machaea said yesterday that the accidents occurred on roads near East London, Port Elizabeth and Komga.

The accidents were on routes that usually experience many accidents during this time of the year, Machaea said.

During the festive season last year - from December 1 to January 15 - there were 218 road deaths in the province, involving 43 drivers, 70 passengers and 105 pedestrians.

Machaea hoped the number of road accidents would decrease this year because of an extensive safe-driving campaign launched by Arrive Alive.

Machaea said the province faced serious challenges during the festive season because many road users "had a negative attitude and ignored road rules".

Speeding, reckless driving, unroadworthy vehicles, overloading and roads still under construction are seen as the chief factors contributing to the high accident toll.

Machea cautioned that traffic officers, police, and the SANDF would be working hand-in-hand to prevent further road carnage. He said there would also be roadblocks set up in "problematic areas".

lEastern Cape Roads, Transport, Safety and Liaison's Thobile Mhlahlo is expected this week to outline his department's strategy and logisticsal preparations to curb road accidents over the festive season.