Authorities are working to ascertain the cause of a multiple vehicle crash, which has claimed at least 5 lives at the weekend.

At least 22 light motor vehicles, eight minibus taxis, and five trucks were involved in the crash, which occurred yesterday.

The N3 Johannesburg-bound was closed, and authorities also closed the N3 Durban-bound for emergency vehicles to get closer to the scene, which was spread over at least a kilometre. The Road Traffic Management Corporation’s spokesperson, Simon Zwane says all roadways were reopened at around 12am this morning.

ROADWAYS REOPENED

“Emergency personnel worked on the scene for the whole night, from around 3pm when the incident to close to midnight. This was when they eventually managed to clear the rubble and remove all the cars that were involved in the accident, and the road was reopened. We can confirm that there were five people who died in that multiple car pile-up, and about 35 vehicles were involved.” Says Zwane.

KZN – N3 North (Latest): #CRASH Massive multi-vehicle pile up north of the Hilton exit – road will be closed for some time pic.twitter.com/a1UJP2Ap0g

— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) April 10, 2023

Zwane says besides the deadly crash, other accidents and traffic violations were fairly minimal over the long weekend.

“Motorists were fairly compliant. We didn’t have multiple vehicle pile-ups, like this one, or any incidents involving many fatalities. We’re, however, concerned by the high number of pedestrians that were knocked down, particularly within the suburbs and townships. We are still busy collating the numbers, as we were working until the early hours of this morning,” says Zwane.

Media Advisory:

MINISTER OF TRANSPORT TO VISIT THE KWAZULU NATAL
MULTIPLE VEHICLE CRASH SCENE. @Dotransport pic.twitter.com/oJxdoHxppw

— Road Traffic Management Corporation (@TrafficRTMC) April 11, 2023

COCT CAUTIONS MOTORISTS

At the same time, the City of Cape Town’s traffic authorities have urged motorists to reduce their speed on City’s freeways and major routes as holidaymakers continue to nreturn home from the Easter holidays.

The metro’s Kevin Jacobs says 84 arrests were conducted over the past week. These were for a range of traffic violations including drunk driving.

“Cape Town Traffic Officers are maintaining their presence on the City’s freeways and major routes. Motorists should avoid being distracted by their electronic devices,” adds Jacobs.

Transport minister, Sindisiwe Chikunga, is expected to update the public on the outcome of the Easter weekend, before the end of this week.

READ MORE: Easter safety measures