MINISTERS CARLISLE AND MINISTER PLATO - REACTION TO N1 CRASH
Transport and Public Works and Community Safety Ministers Robin Carlisle and Dan Plato will closely monitor the investigation into this morning's horror crash on the N1, which claimed the lives of 20 commuters.
At least 14 people have been admitted to hospital with 2 in a critical condition.
Two taxis heading in the direction of Cape Town crashed into the side of a truck on the N1 near Prince Albert around 2am.
Minister Carlisle says the crash is another terrible tragedy on our roads that has shaken our province.
"Despite the fact that our Safely Home Campaign has brought down Western Cape road fatalities by 23%, these major crashes, which often wipe out entire families, are continuing to happen.
‘We are intensifying the focus on these incidents and plans are underway to consult with the appropriate experts to find ways of further reducing the chances of these tragedies from happening,' says Carlisle.
Minister Dan Plato has conveyed his sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives.
‘This government is leaving no stone unturned to increase safety on our roads and to bring down the number of road incidents and fatalities in the Province.
‘Ultimately what we need and what we are building is a culture of responsibility where everyone feels responsible for safety and pursues it on a daily basis.
‘People need to start realising that every road user's actions can either save, or claim a life. That life can be yours, or the life of a loved one," says Plato.
Statement issued by Robin Carlisle, Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works and Dan Plato, Minister of Community Safety, November 15 2011
MINISTER CARLISLE - N1 CRASH UPDATE
Robin Carlisle, the Minister for Transport and Public Works in the Western Cape has released crash statistics for the Laingsburg to Prince Albert section of the N1 for the past 10 years [attached], saying he planned to introduce Average Speed Over Distance Cameras (ASOD) over the stretch ‘as quickly as we can.
‘The crash occurred in a very clearly demarcated 80km/h zone - we expect that very serious charges - murder or culpable homicide - will be brought against the two surviving drivers, one from the truck and the other from the second taxi to crash into the truck's side.
‘The dead include 12 women and 1 girl, 6 men and 1 boy. The driver of the first taxi to crash into the truck has not been identified, but is assumed to have been amongst the dead.
‘Provincial Health Services have confirmed that there were 20 dead, 17 injured and 7 unharmed.
‘The seriously injured are being treated in hospitals in Beaufort West, George and Tygerburg, while the less seriously injured received treatment in Prince Albert and Laingsburg.
The Minister said post mortems would be carried out in Oudtshoorn from tomorrow.
‘Besides the introduction of ASOD cameras on that stretch of the N1, we will intensify our focus on the causes and prevention of major accidents.
‘I am particularly concerned about fully loaded taxis travelling, often with packed trailers, at 100km/h.'
Statement issued by Western Cape Ministry of Transport and Public Works, November 15 2011
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