Crash claims 10 lives in south Africa

Ten people were killed in a crash involving a taxi and a truck loaded with potatoes in Bethlehem, Free State on Thursday. This came as the government was intensifying a nationwide Arrive Alive campaign by imposing stricter rules on the roads during the Easter holiday. An initial investigation found that the truck driver lost control of the vehicle, which swerved in front of the taxi, according to police. The taxi driver and nine passengers died at the scene, while five others have been admitted to a hospital in Bethlehem. Elsewhere in the Eastern Cape Province, three other people were killed in two separated accidents, according to Arrive Alive campaign spokesperson Tshepho Machaea. A total of 13 people have died in road carnages within one day even before the Easter holiday which starts on Friday, raising concern from the government. In a statement, the government called for responsible driving and behavior during this Easter weekend. Public holidays usually see a high number of road accidents and loss of life. "Government therefore calls on motorists and pedestrians to take every possible measure to ensure that they abide by the law and help the nation avoid the loss of life, injury, loss of income and loss of assets that result from incidents on our roads," the statement said. "Government calls on South Africans to show tolerance and care for one another as we share the roads that allow us to experience the beauty of our great country." Road carnages claim about 14, 000 lives in South Africa every year, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters said earlier this week when launching the Arrive Alive campaign. Traffic accidents also cause huge economic losses as the country spends 14 billion rand (about 1.35 billion U.S. dollars) annually on accident victims, Peters said. South Africa is among countries that have the highest traffic fatality rate in the world. Authorities have vowed to achieve a 50- percent reduction in road accidents by 2020.