The MATRIX Road Safety Association (MRSA) actively provides consumers with information on road collisions via the media, whilst providing an informative, online training service detailing the cause, prevention and other general safety information pertaining to road accidents.
A critical benefit of the MATRIX Road Safety Association is the fully-equipped medical emergency vehicle that patrols the roads of Gauteng, with a paramedic on board who will provide medical care.
Please use this site to empower yourself and/or loved ones with life-saving road safety information.
Another intersection collision – drivers beware!
On 3 September at around 14:15 a truck collided with a Hyundai 1 ton
bakkie and a Mercedes Benz at the intersection of Rondebult and Leeupoort
Roads, Boksburg. Terence Teixeira from the MATRIX Road Safety Association
reported from the scene saying the circumstances that lead to the accident
were unknown. “However,” he said, “the truck appeared to have been
travelling straight through the intersection when it collided with the
Hyundai that was turning and then collided with the rear end of a
Mercedes.”
The driver of the Hyundai was flung through the windshield of his vehicle
and fortunately only sustained a moderate injury to his head as well as
several abrasions. No other injuries were sustained. “The patient was
transported to a nearby hospital in a stable condition,” reports Teixeira.
He again urges drivers to practice caution when approaching an
intersection. “Rather take the time to wait for a gap that would not risk
causing an accident. Waiting just a few seconds longer could mean the
difference between having a life-threatening accident and avoiding one.”
What could have been done to prevent the accident?
Vehicle collisions at intersections are common due to the fact that
vehicles are turning in front of oncoming traffic. It would have been easy
for the driver of the Hyundai Bakkie to make a mistake by misjudging the
speed of the approaching truck. Even moving off in the incorrect gear
could have left the side of the vehicle vulnerable to the oncoming
vehicle. Vehicles also do not crash very well from the side and seatbelts
only offer minimal protection in a side-on collision. Another point to
consider is that when crashes occur at intersections, after impact, the
vehicles are often deflected off in other directions resulting in
secondary collision. It is always wise to cover the brake pedal when
approaching intersections, especially at high-risk intersections as this
is where visibility is impaired. Low-risk drivers always travel with their
headlights on to make their vehicles more visible to other road users and
are also always looking for escape routes when approaching a high-risk
situation.
Coal Trucks Collide and Roll Down Embankment
On 2 August 2012, two trucks carrying coal were travelling in convoy on
the R24 east just before the Barbara Road off ramp in Edenvale, when the
first truck allegedly clipped a cargo truck while overtaking it. This
caused the driver of the coal truck to lose control and overturn, rolling
down an embankment and landing in the street below. The driver of the
second coal truck also lost control, overturned and tumbled down the same
embankment.
What could have been done to prevent the accident?
Drivers must be aware that trucks are vision barriers that restrict
forward visibility. Looking well ahead is vital
for drivers to be able to see hazards up ahead and still be able to react
in time. Changing lanes without checking
blind spots is also a major cause of crashes on multi-lane roads.
Seat Belts Save Drivers
On 6 August 2012 a driver of a red Proton travelling on the M2 east after
the Denver onramp swerved to avoid an object in the road. The driver then
lost control of the vehicle, veering across the highway and rolled into a
ditch on the side of the highway. The driver of a VW Amarok also lost
control of his vehicle causing it to roll as he tried to avoid the Proton
as it veered out of control. Fortunately, both patients had their seat
belts on when the accident occurred which significantly reduced the
severity of injuries they may have sustained if they were not buckled up.
Seatbelts can often result the difference between life and death,
particularly in high speed accidents.
What could have been done to prevent the accident?
When drivers do not manage the space around their vehicles effectively,
crashes like these are the result.
Firstly, if drivers maintained a minimum of a 3 second following distance
they would be able to see objects or obstructions in their path and would
not need to swerve ‘suddenly’.
Secondly, drivers should always maintain clear space to at least one side
when travelling on multi-lane roads. This can easily be achieved by
slowing or speeding up a bit to ensure that they have an escape route.
Rush-Hour Collision – Atlas Road, Atlasville
MVA – Atlas Rd. Atlasville. This collision occurred late in the afternoon during rush hour. It was an accident in an intersection and happened because both drivers were not paying due attention to their surrounds. Speed was also a factor, judging from the tyre track marks and the damage caused to the vehicles. Only one driver was injured.
What could have been done to prevent the accident?
Both drivers should have been more alert and aware of their surroundings, as they were approaching an intersection during increased traffic congestion. Both also should have decreased their speed to match prevailing conditions, as well as making sure they were alert enough to drive. Only one person was injured and was treated by Emergimed paramedics at the scene.
Heavy Metal Claw Dislodged – Jet Park, Boksburg
Motor vehicle accident in Jet Park – Boksburg. A truck transporting a heavy metal ‘Claw’ was cornering at speed when the claw dislodged and landed on top of a passing vehicle. One person was injured during what could have been a very serious accident indeed – and was taken to hospital after being treated by Emer-G-Med and ER24 paramedics at the scene.
What could have been done to prevent the accident?
Both drivers should have been alert and scanning the road ahead for possible dangers. The driver of the truck should not have been driving at excessive speed for a cornering situation – and he should have ensured that his load was correctly and safely secured on the back of the truck – which it was not.
Motorbike Accident – Motorcyclist Flung 20 Metres – Meadowdale, N12
Motor bike accident in Meadowdale, alongside the N12. A motorbike travelling through an intersection was hit by a vehicle turning right at a set of lights. The motorcyclist was flung approximately 20 metres and was badly injured. He was treated by Emergimed paramedics at the scene and then transported to hospital. Although speed was not a major factor, this collision could have been prevented.
What could have been done to prevent the accident?
Both drivers should have been more alert and aware of their surroundings. The motorcyclist should have anticipated traffic turning in front of him and he should therefore, have slowed down considerably. Ditto the vehicle driver, who should have anticipated much the same.
Rush-Hour Collision – Three-car Pile-up on N3 South
Motor Vehicle Accident – N3 South – Rush hour. This was a classic incident involving a three-car pile-up on a busy highway in peak afternoon traffic. Although paramedics from Emer-G-med determined that no one was seriously injured as a result of the accident – the presence of a heavily pregnant woman on the scene caused some consternation, as they were concerned about damage to the foetus. Thankfully, all was safe and sound.
What could have been done to prevent the accident?
Following distance is important at any speed, and although the three-second gap rule is only an indication of the distance you should allow for – a driver’s speed should be reduced dramatically in heavy traffic and when speed is increased. Look well ahead and predict the ebb and flow of traffic. Red light reflectors on vehicles up ahead should be a good indication of dangerous situations. ALWAYS stay alert.
Collision – Vehicle Lost Control and Rolled Over – London Road
Motor vehicle accident on London road involving two vehicles, one of which was turning right at an intersection. An approaching vehicle was traveling at high speed and collided with the vehicle in the intersection, causing it to lose control and roll over. Only slight injuries were reported by Emer-G-Med paramedics at the scene.
What could have been done to prevent the accident?
Both vehicle drivers should have been more alert and aware of their surroundings. The driver of the speeding vehicle should have been driving at reduced speed to insure:
a) He could see ahead and make decisions to avoid a collision;
b) Prevent loss of control by taking evasive action to avoid a collision.