Scarcely a week passes without a truck being involved in a collision on the N3, veering off the road, or overturning along Van Reenen’s Pass. Jointly, speeding trucks or drivers under the influence, constantly plays a hazardous role on the roads, leading to continued collisions
Adding to the list of truck related incidents, this weekend two truck drivers were apprehended for significantly exceeding the legal alcohol limit.
Addressing the issue, MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma declared, “Our highly efficient team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate, working with the South African Police Services, has arrested a truck driver for drinking and driving in Van Reenen along the N3 Freeway. He is currently in police cells in Ladysmith. The driver, whom we cannot name at this stage until his court appearance, was driving a truck with the registration number JG43DLGP. He blew 0.32 mg/1000ml which is three times more than the legal limit of 0.10 mg/1000” stated MEC Duma.
Furthermore, the MEC revealed that another driver was apprehended for driving while intoxicated, with his initial court appearance scheduled for 18 August 2025.
“This one was caught driving a truck with the registration number BH78GCZN HMV. He blew 2.0mg/1000ml, which is twenty times more than the legal limit of 0,10mg /1000ml. Weeks ago, we laid to rest nine victims of a horrific accident involving a truck in Empangeni along the N2. Families lost their loved ones and breadwinners, with children becoming orphans as a result of one reckless truck driver. In my meeting with senior management last week on Monday, I mandated our RTI team to strengthen their no nonsense, zero tolerance, and Alufakwa campaign on our roads. We undertake to clamp down on bad behaviour in all corners of our province,” stressed the MEC.
In particular, MEC Duma highlighted that his department is intensifying scrutiny on trucks, as they pose a unique risk due to their capacity to cause extensive damage to multiple vehicles in a single incident, often resulting in severe injuries due to the force of impact.
“Finally, we have agreed as the department that our road networks, which are being constructed, rehabilitated, and repaired, should not 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 to 3.4% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In addition, the Road Accident Fund (RAF) paid out over R45.6 billion in claims in the 2023-2024 financial year,” said MEC Duma.
This renewed commitment to road safety underscores a critical step towards protecting lives and preserving economic resources.
Moving forward, fostering a culture of responsibility on South Africa’s roads will require sustained collaboration between law enforcement, government, and the public. By maintaining rigorous enforcement and promoting awareness, the province aims to transform its highways into safer corridors for all, reducing the devastating toll of preventable accidents.
To assist in this process, if you are on the roads and note a truck driving recklessly, you are encouraged to take down the vehicles registration number and contact the RTMC on 0861 400 800 .
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