Festive road death toll stands at 1 700

PRELIMINARY figures show that more than 1 700 people died on South African roads over the festive season, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters said yesterday.

“In the period between December 1 2015 and January 11 2016 the 1 387 fatal crashes experienced on the roads represents an 11 percent increase in the number of crashes compared to the 2014 festive season where 1 253 were recorded,” Peters told reporters in Pretoria.

“Invariably, the fatalities increased by 220 (14 percent) from 1 535 over the same period in the previous year to 1 755. KwaZulu-Natal is the only province that recorded a decline in the percentage of fatalities, by two percent.”

Peters said the Western Cape recorded the highest percentage of fatal crashes. Fatalities increased in that province from 122 to 162.

In the Northern Cape 57 people were killed on the Province’s roads.

During the period under review, Peters said small motor vehicles accounted for 47.9 percent of total crashes, followed by light delivery vehicles at 22.7 percent. Minibuses and combo vehicles had 10.1 percent and trucks contributed 4.8 percent.

“The majority of people who died were passengers at 33.3 percent followed by pedestrians at 33.9 percent. Drivers contributed 23.9 percent of the fatalities and cyclists 2.8 percent,” said Peters.

The majority of those killed were males, making up 74 percent of total fatalities.

According to the department of transport, the “human factor” was the biggest contributor to fatal crashes. Many of the collisions occurred as a result of jaywalking, speeding, overtaking in the face of oncoming traffic and driving under the influence of alcohol. – ANA