Road deaths spike in W Cape
SOUTH AFRICA’s festive season road death toll decreased by a significant 11% to 1 527, compared to 1 714 fatalities recorded in the same period of the previous year, according to Transport Minister Joe Maswanganyi.
“This represents an 11% decline, which surpassed the 10% target. When considering the entire holiday period from December 1, 2017 to January 15, 2018, there were 1 676 fatalities compared to 1 875 fatalities for the same period in the previous year,” he said.
He said as a result of concerted efforts from law enforcement agencies, with co-operation from the judiciary, a festive season plan was well executed, which resulted in noticeable declines in the number of fatalities in South Africa’s provinces – with the exception of the Western Cape and North West, which recorded 7% and 11% increases respectively.
Limpopo province was a “star performer” as it managed to achieve the greatest reduction in the number of fatalities, followed by the Free Fatalities on roads during the festive season decreased by 11% from last year. State and KwaZulu-Natal, said Maswanganyi.
“The highest number of fatalities was among pedestrians, which increased from 34% to 37%, and fatalities among drivers also increased from 23% to 27%. However, there was a decline in passenger fatalities from 41% to 35%, which indicates that it is possible to save more lives if more people use safety belts,” said Maswanganyi.
There was a decline in the number of motorists arrested for drunk driving, from 5 943 in the 2016/17 period to 3 301 in the 2017/18 period.
However, Maswanganyi said speeding continued to be a headache as drivers disregarded speed limits.
“Speed continued to be a major headache with 922 drivers arrested, compared to 785 in the 2016/17 period,” he said.
He said the “success achieved this year” would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of traffic officers and members of the SAPS throughout the country.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to all of them and wish a speedy recovery to the two traffic officers who were injured in the line of duty in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape,” he said.
“A word of appreciation also goes to emergency medical personnel, nurses and doctors who were on duty.”