By Anita Dangazele
- The Eastern Cape is stepping up road safety enforcement as heavy holiday traffic returns to major routes.
- Authorities report a spike in road deaths and record-breaking violations during the festive season.
The Eastern Cape is hosting major road safety operations today as the festive season comes to an end. Authorities will focus on some of the province’s busiest roads connecting key economic hubs, with many holidaymakers heading back to work.
Transport Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa will lead the largest operation this afternoon at a secret location. Heavy outbound traffic is expected on routes like the N2, linking the province to KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, the N6 to Gauteng, and the R61, a dangerous road connecting the province to the Karoo towns of Graaff-Reinet and Beaufort West.
The province has reported a rise in road deaths this holiday season. Official figures will be released by the national transport minister in two weeks.
On 27 December, the highest recorded alcohol level of 2.47mg/1000ml was detected on the R61 in Lusikisiki. Meanwhile, the fastest speed recorded during the festive season was in Limpopo on 17 December, where a motorist was caught driving 209km/h in a 120km/h zone.
As of 1 January, traffic authorities had stopped and checked over 1.1 million vehicles as part of their holiday road safety plan.
Pictured above: Traffic officials at a roadblock.
Source: X
