The N1 highway – which links Gauteng and Limpopo provinces and is used as the gateway to neighbouring countries – has the highest number of fatalities of South Africa’s national roads, according to the transport minister, Blade Nzimande.
Speaking at the launch of the festive season road safety campaign, he highlighted that many accidents were caused by old vehicles that were not properly maintained.
As part of the campaign Nzimande, accompanied by Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha, visited a roadblock on the N1 between Kranskop and Modimolle manned jointly by the Gauteng and Limpopo traffic officials.
The two laid wreaths alongside the N1 freeway in remembrance of all those who had died in road accidents, with Mathabatha highlighting that a total of 27 people had died in accidents on the N1 last month (October) alone.
“These accidents can be prevented if people obey and follow the road rules,” he said.
