A fatal accident involving a Mercedes C-Class sedan and a truck in Mbombela in Mpumalanga, just after 4am on Sunday morning, has ignited a debate about who was really at fault.
A video of the crash, featuring CCTV footage and posted by SA Trucker, has gone viral on social media platforms.
It shows a truck turning across an intersection on the R40, but before the big rig makes it through, a black Mercedes collides with the rear section of the trailer after slamming on brakes and desperately trying to stop in time.
Tragically, the female passenger in the car died on the scene while the driver passed away in hospital a while later, according to media reports.
We’re not the judge and the jury in this situation, but it would appear as if the Mercedes had right of way.
However, authorities say they suspect the Mercedes driver was speeding, as the video evidence seems to illustrate all too clearly. The roads were also quiet at that time of morning, so it’s possible that both drivers had let their guard down.
But it underlines the importance of always leaving a margin for error and avoiding excessive speed, especially when travelling through intersections.
“This is a stark reminder of the importance of Defensive Driving. The Merc driver left no room for error here, he was flat out!” said Blue Chevron Driving Academy.
Speeding shortens reaction time and increases stopping distance.
“Even if the truck’s manoeuvre was a bit tight, the car might have avoided the crash, had it been travelling at a safer speed. Does the responsibility then shift to the car driver for not driving defensively?” SA Trucker asked on its Facebook page.
Readers were divided over who was at fault, but most agreed that the Merc’s speed was excessive for the situation and some speculated that the truck driver may not have seen the car when approaching the turn due to a blind corner.
Moeti Mmusi, spokesperson for the Department of Community Safety, urged motorists to pay particular attention to the rules of the road as the festive season approaches.
“Motorists should be wary of fatigue and how it affects their quality of driving. Do not speed to get to your destination, but rather, take breaks along the drive,” Mmusi said.
IOL