Latest news with #RoadTrafficInspectorate
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Truck driver found twenty times over the legal alcohol limit in KZN
He will make his first court appearance in August. The Road Traffic Inspectorate, working with the South African Police Service (Saps), have arrested a truck driver for drinking and driving in Van Reenen along the N3 Freeway. The driver is currently detained in Ladysmith. According to the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, the driver allegedly blew 0.32 mg/1000ml, which is three times more than the legal limit of 0.10 mg/1000 for professional drivers. ALSO READ: Tow truck driver arrested after KZN crash kills 8 Another truck driver, who was also caught driving intoxicated, will make his first appearance in court on 18 August 2025. According to Duma, the second driver was caught driving a truck and blew 2.0mg/1000ml, which is twenty times more than the legal limit of 0.10mg /1000ml. KZN truck accidents KZN has been battling the scourge of truck accidents in recent months, due to several factors. On 16 May, two trucks collided along the N3 Southbound just after the Peter Brown off-ramp, after one of the trucks allegedly experienced brake failure. A week before, a collision between a truck and a light delivery vehicle transporting passengers claimed multiple lives on the N2 highway near Empangeni. ALSO READ: Lifeless body of a driver recovered in KZN after a two-day search Eight victims lost their lives in the accident. Duma says the province has adopted a zero-tolerance attitude to drunk drivers due to the high number of accidents. 'Weeks ago, we laid to rest nine victims of a horrific accident involving a truck in Empangeni along the N2,' said Duma. 'Families lost their loved ones and breadwinners, with children becoming orphans as a result of one reckless truck driver. 'During my meeting with senior management last Monday, I instructed our RTI team to intensify their 'no-nonsense, zero-tolerance' and Alufakwa campaign on our roads. ALSO READ: Truck accident forces closure of N3 toll road as festive season ends 'We undertake to clamp down on bad behaviour in all corners of our province. 'In particular, we are paying more attention to trucks because, more than any vehicle, trucks can damage more vehicles at once, and their accidents can lead to serious injuries because of the impact.' The department said the country's roads would no longer be 'playgrounds' for irresponsible drivers. 'We must remove all these elements that are costing our country a fortune. 'We have been informed that road accidents cost the South African economy over R164 billion annually, an equivalent of 3.4% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).' READ NEXT: Police arrest six truckers for theft of minerals in Pongola, KZN
The Herald
12-05-2025
- The Herald
Nine people, most of them mothers, perish in KwaZulu-Natal road accident
Nine people were killed in a horror crash involving a bakkie and tow truck in Empangeni on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast on Sunday morning. The provincial transport and human settlements department said most of the victims were mothers. 'On this Mother's Day, early this morning at about 6.47am, I received a report from our highly dedicated team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate informing me about a horrific accident that claimed the lives of nine people, mostly mothers. 'Losing a mother is a deeply painful experience that marks the radical change of the family's life and involves a wide range of sad emotions,' said MEC Siboniso Duma. According to a preliminary report, the collision, which occurred on the N2 northbound after the Mthunzini Toll Plaza, involved a tow truck and a Hyundai H-1 bakkie transporting 24 members of the Zion Christian Church. 'They were travelling to Dukuduku, Umtubatuba. We have been informed by the RTI and emergency rescue services that a tow truck struck the rear end of the Hyundai H-1, resulting in fatalities and serious injuries. Those who were injured have been taken to hospitals, and we wish them a speedy recovery,' said Duma. He said he had assembled a dedicated team from his office to liaise with the church and families. 'Finally, I have also mandated the RTI to immediately keep in touch with the Road Traffic Management Corporation to ensure that an investigation is conducted into this horrific accident. We will be updating the people of KwaZulu-Natal as we move forward.' TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
11-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Nine people, most of them mothers, perish in KwaZulu-Natal road accident
Nine people were killed in a horror crash involving a bakkie and tow truck in Empangeni on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast on Sunday morning. The provincial transport and human settlements department said most of the victims were mothers. 'On this Mother's Day, early this morning at about 6.47am, I received a report from our highly dedicated team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate informing me about a horrific accident that claimed the lives of nine people, mostly mothers. 'Losing a mother is a deeply painful experience that marks the radical change of the family's life and involves a wide range of sad emotions,' said MEC Siboniso Duma. According to a preliminary report, the collision, which occurred on the N2 northbound after the Mthunzini Toll Plaza, involved a tow truck and a Hyundai H-1 bakkie transporting 24 members of the Zion Christian Church. 'They were travelling to Dukuduku, Umtubatuba. We have been informed by the RTI and emergency rescue services that a tow truck struck the rear end of the Hyundai H-1, resulting in fatalities and serious injuries. Those who were injured have been taken to hospitals, and we wish them a speedy recovery,' said Duma. He said he had assembled a dedicated team from his office to liaise with the church and families. 'Finally, I have also mandated the RTI to immediately keep in touch with the Road Traffic Management Corporation to ensure that an investigation is conducted into this horrific accident. We will be updating the people of KwaZulu-Natal as we move forward.'
IOL News
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Tragic Mother's Day crash in KwaZulu-Natal claims nine lives
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport Siboniso Duma has conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased after a tragic crash near Mtunzini toll plaza on Sunday claimed nine lives. Image: Supplied A devastating crash claimed the lives of nine people, mostly mothers, in the early hours of Sunday morning along the N2 near the Mthunzini Toll Plaza, casting a shadow over Mother's Day in KwaZulu-Natal. According to KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, the collision occurred at around 6.47am and involved a tow truck and a Hyundai H-1 minibus transporting members of the Zion Christian Church. 'On this Mother's Day, early this morning around 06h47, I received a report from our team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate informing me about a horrific accident that claimed the lives of nine people, mostly mothers,' Duma said in a public statement. The victims were part of a group of 24 congregants travelling to Dukuduku in Mtubatuba. 'According to a preliminary report, this accident, which happened along the N2 northbound after Mthunzini Toll Plaza, involved a tow truck and a Hyundai H-1, which was transporting 24 members of the Zion Christian Church,' said Duma. He confirmed that the tow truck struck the rear of the Hyundai H-1, leading to multiple fatalities and serious injuries. The injured were rushed to hospital, and the MEC extended his best wishes for their recovery. 'Those who were injured have been taken to hospitals and we wish them a speedy recovery. Equally, we express our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and the church,' he said. Duma acknowledged the emotional toll of losing a mother, stating: 'Losing a mother is a deeply painful experience that marks the radical change of the family's life and involves a wide range of sad emotions.'
The South African
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- The South African
SANRAL announces full closure of the N3 national road from 9 May
The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) has confirmed that the N3 highway near Ashburton will be closed in both directions from the evening of 9 May to the early morning of 11 May. This is to allow for the demolition of the Ashburton (Pope Ellis Drive) bridge as part of ongoing road construction along the vital transport corridor. The complete shutdown of the N3 will begin at 20:00 on Friday, 9 May and continue until 5:00 on Sunday, 11 May. During this period, no vehicles will be able to access the N3 between the Lynnfield (Lion Park) and Market Road interchanges. 'Full closures will take place at Lynnfield and Market Road interchanges with both the North bound and South bound traffic being unable to access the N3 during said times,' explained Jason Lowe, SANRAL's KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Specialist Geometrics Engineer. 'The traffic accommodation team, with the assistance of the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), will manage and monitor the diversion of traffic to the R103.' To accommodate the disruption, SANRAL advises motorists to use the R103 as an alternative route. Northbound traffic from Durban to Pietermaritzburg should exit at Lynnfield and follow the R103 to rejoin the N3 at Market Road. Southbound traffic from Pietermaritzburg to Durban should exit at Market Road and reconnect to the N3 via Lynnfield. Pope Ellis Drive will remain open during the demolition, but will operate under stop/go traffic control. SANRAL warns that significant delays are expected, particularly for vehicles with heavy goods. 'Significant delays are likely to be experienced as the R103 cannot handle the same traffic volumes as the N3,' Lowe cautioned. 'Motorists, especially heavy goods vehicles, are urged to reschedule their trips to avoid traveling during the closure.' Additionally, with traffic volumes expected to exceed the capacity of the R103, SANRAL encourages all road users to plan ahead, adjust routes, and adhere to all signage and speed limits. 'SANRAL wishes to apologise to the motoring public for any inconvenience caused,' Lowe added. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
