Robin Carlisle, the Minister of Transport and Public Works in the Western Cape, has described last night as a "brutal, bloody night on Western Cape roads".
"As the night proceeded, so the list of mostly innocent victims steadily rose," Minister Carlisle said.
Minister Carlisle said: "There is only so much the authorities can do; individuals must begin to take responsibility for their own lives as well as the lives of other motorists and pedestrians on the roads."
"As Provincial Traffic Chief Kenny Africa said this morning, we are rendering a 24-hour service, but we need the public's contribution."
"The blood-letting will continue until motorists start to slow down, buckle up, stop drinking and driving, leave their cellphones alone and watch out for pedestrians."
"Public transport users must begin to value their own lives and the lives of their fellow passengers by reporting dangerous drivers and vehicles to the authorities. Meanwhile, pedestrians are urged not to walk anywhere on busy roads, to cross only at safe crossing points and to stay away from freeways."
If you witness anyone driving dangerously, please call 021 812 4581 or 021 946 1646.
The ministry has also spoken to Vernon Billet, the Chairman of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) in the Western Cape, who will be approaching all the minibus taxi associations - both owners and drivers - to express his and Minister Carlisle's concern about the high number of fatal crashes involving their members.
Mr Billet will also get a message through to SANTACO volunteers to step up their efforts on the roads and at taxi ranks to get taxi drivers to slow down and to rest whenever the need arises.
"We have asked Chief Africa to remove from the road any overloaded or unsafe taxis and to force taxi drivers that look tired to stop and rest. Any motorist caught endangering the lives of other road users will be summarily arrested."
Steven Otter
Spokesperson
Cell: 084 233 3811