Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa says drunken driving and reckless pedestrians are among the contributing factors to the high number of road fatalities. Hlengwa joined law enforcement agencies at a roadblock at the Marianhill Toll Plaza in Durban.

Major routes leading to KwaZulu-Natal and other provinces are experiencing high traffic volumes as road users make their way to their holiday destinations.

Authorities say they are experiencing high traffic volumes along major routes leading to KwaZulu-Natal on Christmas eve.

Over 50 motorists were forced to not proceed with their trip due their vehicles being in an unroadworthy condition during the roadblock at the toll.

This is part of the festive season road safety campaign. Several fines have been issued for driving under the influence of alcohol, expired vehicle discs as well as driving with no license.

Hlengwa says police visibility has been heightened in areas that are accident prone.

“We have a fundamental concern about the high levels of drinking and driving and drinking and walking. Pedestrian fatalities up to date they account to up to 40 percent of fatalities from the 1st of December till today. We also want to keep reiterate that the high levels of cell phone usage behind the steering and by passengers who disrupt drivers all in the name of content creation and the influencer trend which is throughout the country. Above and beyond the recklessness of chatting and driving and bring on the phone but since it’s holidays, people wanting to create content, the fundamental risk is that cell phone usage disrupts your response time to emergencies.”

Motorists passing through the toll say they appreciate the increased police visibility, however, they are calling on police to be visible in the evening as well.

“We feel very safe, there is a lot of police who are conducting roadblocks along the road,” a motorist said.

“We feel very safe for now, we are happy with the police visibility,” another motorist explains.

“So, far so good on the road, it’s quiet, most people have reached their destinations,” a motorist elaborates.

Meanwhile, Durban Long Distance Taxi Association says as part of ensuring road safety and minimising road crashes, they are doing thorough checks on vehicles before they leave the taxi rank.

“We have checked all our taxis to ensure that they are roadworthy. We have ensured that tyres are in the good condition. Police should do their work and arrest drivers who are driving under the influence of alcohol,” says Mphetheni Nala of Durban Long Distance Taxi Association.

Motorists have again been urged to be vigilant on the roads.

Video: Festive Season – Motorists urged to plan their trips and not drive alone: Mkhuleko Hlengwa