Concessionaire operator of the N1N4 toll route, Bakwena recently announced that it recorded nine fatalities in December 2017 and three between 1 and 15 January 2018 on the N1N4 toll route.

This figure is significantly lower than 2016 when 12 fatalities occurred in December 2016 and 19 in January 2017.

Bakwena spokesperson, Liam Clarke, attributes this festive season’s safe drive to increased visibility of law enforcement and roadblocks which checked for road worthiness, overloading and alcohol abuse.

Statistics can be viewed favourably

“According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation, more than 924 000 vehicles were stopped and checked throughout the country and more than 105 000 drivers tested for alcohol.”

Clarke says it’s important to take all variables into account when analysing road accident statistics. “In December we saw about a 2% increase in the number of vehicles on Bakwena-managed routes,” Clarke notes.

“An increase in car registrations and a reduction in foreign travel last year indicate that there is an increase in domestic traffic during holiday peak periods. This means, despite increased volumes and greater opportunity for incidents, the statistics can be viewed in an even more favourable light,” he explains.

Continuously striving for zero

Clarke says Bakwena and the local traffic authorities along the N1N4 continuously strive for zero fatalities on the roads. “While the numbers of fatalities are down from last year, one life lost is still one too many.”

“We are pleased that the ongoing efforts of the Department of Transport and various other stakeholders around the country, such as ourselves, have seen an overall decline in incidents. We urge motorists to adhere to road safety measures all the time. In fact our wish for motorists in 2018 is that they always drive carefully and reach their destinations safely, Clarke concludes.