[INFOGRAPHIC] Train crashes on the decrease
The Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) has revealed that the number of train crashes has decreased by 9% in the 2016/17 financial year.
The Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) has revealed that the number of train crashes decreased by 9% in the 2016/17 financial year.
In 2015 to 2016 financial year, 1 099 train crashes were reported in the country while in 2016 to 2017 financial year the number dropped to 1006.
This is according to the State of Safety 2016/17 financial report released on Wednesday.
The regulator says 495 fatalities occurred and 2079 people were injured.
The has been a 5% drop in the number of incidents, with an 8% increase in fatalities, and 10% decrease in the number of injuries.
Railway safety has been in the spotlight since the Shosholoza Meyl crash near Kroonstad in the Free State which claimed the lives of 19 people.
More than 200 people were also injured when two trains collided near Germiston on Tuesday.
Despite the general improvement, the report states there has been no progress in reducing the number of some types incidents.