Two motorists escaped serious injury on Thursday morning, 5 December 2024, with the two accidents happening within a few hours of each other.

The first accident unfolded at approximately 4:30 am, along the N11.
Travelling along the popular national road, a motorist faced a life-threatening ordeal when he suddenly encountered an oncoming truck heading straight for his bakkie.
Reflecting on the collision, Road Angels South Africa detailed that the incident occurred, just past the Sunset Rest Pass, towards Newcastle. According to Road Angels South Africa, a stationary truck was positioned on a blind rise, partially obstructing the road. This prompted another truck, which was travelling towards Ladysmith, to attempt an overtaking manoeuvre.
However, as the truck driver attempted to overtake the stationary vehicle, a bakkie was approaching from Ladysmith towards Newcastle. The bakkie was climbing the blind rise when the collision occurred. Speculation surrounds the fact that the bakkie driver may have attempted to swerve, resulting in a partial head-on collision with the truck.

In a twist of sheer luck, Road Angels South Africa pointed out that, despite the extensive damage sustained by the bakkie, no injuries were reported from the incident and the motorist managed to exit his vehicle unscathed.
Although no fatalities or injuries were sustained, Road Angels South Africa urged motorists to exercise extreme caution when travelling along national highways in the lead-up to the festive season. Highlighting some of the main contributors to collisions during this period, Road Angels explained, “Travelling along unfamiliar routes, motorists taking chances, and not adhering to the prescribed speed limits and road markings, are all factors that contribute to the already high collision rate.”
It was also emphasised that when vehicles, especially trucks, break down on the road, immediate attention and relocation of the vehicle to a safer area can help reduce the risk of accidents.
Furthermore, the second incident unfolded along Victoria Road, when a motorist lost control of his vehicle along the road, resulting in his Chery landing on its side along the pavement outside a medical practice.

The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are currently unclear, as the motorist claimed he did not remember what had transpired at all. However, according to a police official on the scene, it is speculated that the motorist potentially blacked out due to a medical condition.
While in a state of shock and sustaining minor lacerations, the motorist fortunately escaped the incident without major injury. Magenta Emergency Medical Services and Newcastle SAPS were on the scene within minutes to assist the motorist, as witnesses stood around the scene taking in what had just transpired.
Given the rise in collisions and fatalities on South African roads during December, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy launched the 2024 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign in a bid to foster safer travel conditions.
She highlighted that the statistics surrounding festive period collisions are both frightening and staggering.
Referring to the RTMC’s State of Road Safety Report for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2023, Creecy remarked, “South Africa had 10,180 fatal crashes in 2023 which resulted in 11,883 deaths. Let us just pause for a minute to understand what that means. In plain English: South Africa saw 11,883 people dying in 2023 because of crashes on our country’s roads,” said Creecy.
Moreover, Creecy stressed the financial toll of road accidents, explaining, “In addition to the human cost, the cost of crashes includes vehicle repair costs and related incident costs. Last year (2023), road crashes cost our economy no less than R205 billion. That translates into a whopping 2.74% of GDP for 2023.”
Additionally, Creecy confirmed that the Department of Transport would collaborate closely with the RTMC, provincial, and municipal departments responsible for transport and road safety, as well as other relevant organisations, to ensure this festive season is as safe as possible.
“All traffic officers, police officers, and law enforcement authorities must enforce the law without fear or favour. Road users must know that they will face the consequences for breaking the law. If fathers, mothers, and innocent children are going to die or be injured because of the actions of irresponsible individuals, then those individuals must face the consequences,” stressed Creecy.

Though the motorists involved in the two collisions miraculously escaped what could have been fatal encounters and steps to be taken to prioritise road safety, what are your thoughts on the matter?
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