PIETERMARITZBURG - Roads countrywide are under pressure as thousands of people make their way home for Christmas.
READ: At least 87 killed on WC roads since start of festive season
Authorities are urging motorists to exercise extreme caution especially after a multi-vehicle collision on the N1 North at the Witvlag turn-off on Tuesday.
Limpopo Transport and Community Safety MEC, Violet Mathye, said, "It's about the behaviour of our drivers."
"Most of the accidents that are happening on our roads is about speeding, it's about those that are driving while drunk; some are making U-turns where they were not supposed to, and speeding are the reasons why people are dying on the roads," she said.
Mathye said authorities are looking to crack down on poor drivers, saying, "We are trying by all means this year that if you are arrested we give you a harsh fine but it looks like the people doing this are ready to pay whatever amount that they are being fined."
She said Limpopo authorities have arrested 45 motorists for a range of charges including drunken driving and speeding.
Mathye assured South Africans that traffic authorities will continue to make arrests.
Learning skills like changing a tyre, jump-starting a battery, or replacing a wiper blade can also make a big difference.
Eugene Herbert from MasterDrive advised, "Before a long journey, have a reputable organisation check and make sure that even the spare wheel is pumped."
Herbert said motorists should make sure they are equipped and informed about safety measures before getting on the road.
"You may be a responsible driver but what about others," Herbert warned of unsafe conditions during transit periods.