Five people have died at the scene of a crash on the R45 between Hopefield and Langebaanweg, near the Elandsfontein mine.
The accident on Sunday also saw three others sustain injuries.
The Western Cape Mobility Department reports that three men and two women died in the crash.
The R45 was temporarily closed to traffic and rerouted via Velddrif (from Hopefield) and back toward the West Coast Road (from Langebaanweg).
According to the Mobility Department, preliminary investigations into the incident indicate that the accident may have been the result of reckless overtaking.
“All survivors were found to have been wearing seatbelts,” read the department’s statement.
MEC Isaac Sileku added that this incident follows just days after the launch of the province’s Easter Road Safety Plan, which is geared toward preventing such fatalities.
“Reckless overtaking is extremely dangerous, as it reduces reaction time and puts lives at risk in seconds. We urge motorists to only overtake when it is safe,” said Sileku.
He further highlighted the importance of wearing seatbelts, noting that it significantly reduces risk for both front and back seat passengers.
“The fact that the survivors were wearing seatbelts may have helped prevent additional loss of life. Our thoughts are with the families of those who have passed on, and we wish the injured a speedy recovery. We urge all road users to drive responsibly and help keep our province’s roads safe,” said Sileku.
Provincial Easter Road Safety Plan
The Western Cape Government is prioritising road safety with the deployment of more traffic officers, advanced traffic monitoring tech and a focus on high-risk routes this Easter holiday.
Sileku, alongside Premier Alan Winde, launched the safety plan in Khayelitsha on Friday.
There, they noted that in the first three months of this year, from 1 January to 15 March, 238 people have died on provincial roads. Pedestrians continue to make up the highest number of fatalities, with 134 pedestrians killed in the mentioned time period.
“Every life lost is a tragedy that could often be prevented. This Easter, I urge all road users to plan your journey, take regular breaks, stay alert, and never drink and drive or walk while intoxicated. Please also look out for the most vulnerable on our roads – our pedestrians,” said Sileku.
In response, Provincial Traffic Services, with help from the SAPS, EMS, and municipal authorities, will conduct 24/7 operations, including increased officer deployment, vehicle checkpoints, and alcohol testing centres across several regions. Drones and licence plate recognition systems will be used to detect violations, while rapid response teams will be coordinated through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre.
Additional focus will be placed on high-risk routes like the N1 and N2, public transport compliance, and pedestrian awareness campaigns, with officials calling on the public to share responsibility in reducing road fatalities.
“Road users have an obligation to respect the rules of the road, not only over the long Easter weekend, but throughout the year. Let us all arrive safely at our destinations; let us all show respect for each other on our roads,” said Winde.
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