According to Limpopo roads and transport spokesperson Boiki Tsedu, 49 people were killed in 93 accidents in the province during the month of June.
"Motorists who drive between ten in the evening and seven in the morning usually have the air conditioners on to stay warm, which makes them fall asleep behind the wheel," Tsedu explained.
He said speeding was also a factor.
The highest number of accidents were reported in the Capricorn, Vhembe and Waterberg districts, which include the towns of Polokwane, Thohoyandou and Mokopane.
Tsedu said the department would recruit 200 traffic officers at the end of July to provide round-the-clock policing on the roads.
"We are going to focus on areas that have been identified as flash-points in terms of accident rates," he said.