ADVERTISEMENT:

 

 
 

The truck came to a halt next to the N1, after losing control at the traffic circle at the Stubss Street/N1 crossing. Photo supplied.

Traffic volumes to increase during Easter weekend

Date: 16 April 2014 By: Isabel Venter

Even before the upcoming Easter weekend, local roads have already claimed the life of one motorist, while others narrowly escaped death and serious injury.

On Saturday afternoon, 12 April, a truck driver escaped death when he lost control over his heavy vehicle while coming down the Soutpansberg mountain pass. Apparently the vehicle’s brakes failed, causing the truck to accelerate and speed out of control past the Stubbs Street traffic circle on the N1 in Makhado (Louis Trichardt). The accident happened at approximately 14:00.

Witnesses of the accident recollect seeing another motorist, driving a Volkswagen Polo just ahead of the truck, missing the accident by hair's breadth. “We thought the person in the Polo was done for – he must have sped up very quickly when he saw the truck hurtling towards him,” recall Bonita Furstenburg, Dallien Viljoen and Luandi Smit, who witnessed the incident.

The truck driver did, however, manage not to hit the Polo, bringing the truck to a skidding halt several hundred metres from the traffic circle and sending its load of beans scattering over the N1. According to reports from local rescue workers, it took a clean-up crew several hours to clear the road again for traffic.

On Sunday, an unknown male was killed in a vehicle accident along the Waterpoort road, several kilometres from the Waterpoort/N1 intersection. More details about the accident were still forthcoming at the time of going to press.

Shortly before this accident, another truck, also travelling from Musina towards Makhado (Louis Trichardt), jack-knifed at the Waterpoort crossing. Fortunately, no one was injured and no other vehicles were involved.

These incidents leading up to Easter weekend are the reason why Limpopo traffic authorities are bracing themselves for a busy period, with traffic volumes expected to increase from Thursday.

The MEC for roads and transport, Mr Lehlogonolo Masoga, has stated that traffic officers will be ready to deal with any incident during the weekend. Masoga officially unveiled the province’s 2014 Easter Arrive Alive campaign on Tuesday on the R37 near Polokwane. This year’s campaign goes under the theme “Celebrating 20 years of efficient, reliable and safe transport services”.

Roads in the province, especially the N1, R71 and smaller roads, experience huge traffic volumes during Easter. Therefore, emergency medical services from Vhembe will also be on standby. For assistance, the Makhado Fire Brigade can be contacted at Tel 015 516 0554/2, the call centre of the local emergency services at 015 516 2395 or the Makhado SAPS at 015 519 4300.

 
 
 

Viewed: 1572

 

 
 

Isabel Venter

Isabel joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in 2009 as a reporter. She holds a BA Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of South Africa. Her beat is mainly crime and court reporting.

 
 

More photos... 

ADVERTISEMENT

 
 

ADVERTISEMENT:

 
 

ADVERTISEMENT