Mhlaba Memela

Mhlaba Memela

Taxi drivers, who spend hours on KwaZulu-Natal's roads, say the Department of Transport is losing the battle against road carnage.

In the past month, road accidents have claimed 50 lives. More than 300 injuries have been recorded.

Taxi driver Themba Makhasa said the most accidents on provincial roads were caused by irresponsible and reckless motorists.

"The department should go back to the drawing board and come up with new ideas.

"The Asiphephe and Siyaba- khumbula programmes worked well in the past," he said.

He said roadblocks by Road Traffic Inspectorate officials were easily predictable because drivers "knew the spots where cameras were".

Bonga Mkhize said it was clear that the battle for an accident-free province was being lost.

"I do not think it is only the department that should take the blame. Drivers are arrogant and do not care about safety.

"People obey the law when they see traffic cops, but once out of their eyesight, they drive recklessly," said Mkhize.

Nonkululeko Mbatha, spokesman for the department, said most accidents were the result of human error.