Randolph Lebo Mathosa, popular and successful musician, woman and human rights activist, was killed early this morning in a car accident after her driver apparently lost control of the vehicle (link).
I wonder how fast the driver was going (link)?
In other news, our Transport Minister, Jeff Radebe, says that the annual death toll on our roads is 13 000 and rising (link).
On an episode of Fifth Gear the other day on DStv, Tiff showed us how serious it is to drive fast in low visibility. They set up a group of around twelve stationary cars, and then, using remote controlled vehicles, drove two cars at 70 mph (112 kmph) into the back of them. The first one was a Metro (probably the MG Metro), and the second was an early 1990s Mercedes Benz.
After the Metro went into the group of stationary cars, a Fiat Uno, at the back, was destroyed on the right-hand side (where the driver sits). Then the Mercedes was driven into the same mess. Afterwards, the Uno was less than 1 metre long. A Ford was destroyed. The Metro was kaput. The Mercedes was possibly survivable, but unlikely at the speed it was going.
The point is, reckless driving, and speed, kills.
When it rains, or there is low visibility, I drive at 20kmph or more BELOW the limit. Some days I've driven at under 40kmph on the freeway because it was too dangerous not to.
13 000 reasons a year to drive safely. If you're going to go fast, make sure you consider other lunatics on the road. I admit to driving fast (everyone does), but only when I consider it safe to do so. I'm re-evaluating that decision lately. That's why I want a slower car.