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The Road Traffic Management Corporation has sent accident reconstruction experts to the scene of a major horrific road crash in Harding, KwaZulu-Natal where 11 people have died and eight injured.

The crash happen on Sunday when an Isuzu light delivery vehicles apparently overturned on a municipal road D1079. The exact cause of the crash is unknown at this stage.

The experts will examine the vehicle, the condition of the road, and the behaviour of the driver moments before the crash occurred in order to the determine the exact cause of the collision

The crash represents a major setback in the country’s effort to halve the number of road collisions and fatalities, particularly as it seems that the vehicle was overloaded.

A five year crash analysis has indicated that light delivery vehicles are contributing the second highest number of fatal crashes on the roads.

Sedans and other private vehicles are the highest contributors to fatal crashes with a contribution of 46%, light delivery vehicles contribute 17%, minibuses, combis and midibus vehicles contribute nine percent, trucks contributed five percent, while busses contribute one percent while motorcycles contribute nine percent.

There are three main causes that lead to fatalities on South African roads. These are human error, un-roadworthy vehicle and environmental or road related factors.

Human error - including driving as speeds that are too high for circumstances, driving under the influence of liquor or drugs as well as reckless and negligent driving – is the leading cause contributing 79% of all fatal crashes followed by envirornmental or road factors that including sharp bends, poor visibility, slippery surfaces and stray animals. Environmental factors contribute to 13% of crashes.

Issued by Road Traffic Management Corporation