Over 1,400 killed on SA’s roads over festive season

Chikunga briefed the media at the Grasmere Toll Plaza, south of Johannesburg.

This number of fatalities represents a 1.7% decrease compared to last year.

A total number of 1,184 crashes were recorded.

Chikunga attributed the decline to concerted efforts by law enforcement authorities and other stakeholders.

"As a consequence of our relentless law enforcement as well as education and awareness campaigns, the number of people who died on the roads was reduced by 25, from 1 452 in the previous reporting period to 1,427 in the current period."

According to Chikunga, the majority of the victims were aged between 25 and 44.

Pedestrians accounted for 41% of the overall fatalities, a 10% increase from the previous year.

"40.9% of those who died were pedestrians. Passengers accounted for 33.6%; drivers [accounted for] 24.6% and cyclists 0.8%," Chikunga said.

PROVINCIAL BREAK DOWN

Four provinces registered an increase in road deaths this past festive period, with the Western Cape recording the highest increase.

"Gauteng recorded a 7.6% increase, KwaZulu-Natal recorded a 4.2% increase, Mpumalanga recorded a 9.7% increase, and Western Cape recorded a 22.6% increase,” Chikunga said.

The Eastern Cape was the only province which reached the targeted reduction of 18.6%.

Human factors contributed to 80.8% of the crashes, while environmental factors such as heavy rain contributed 10.4%.

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