WCape road deaths see slight spike in 1st half of Dec
Road deaths have seen a slight spike for the first half of December, compared to the same period last year, the Western Cape Transport Department said on Wednesday.
The department said it was concerned about the increase in road deaths, from 51 between December 1 to 14 last year, to 58 for the corresponding period this year.
“Even more concerning is the spike in passenger deaths in the same period (from 6 deaths in 2014, to 18 deaths this December thus far),” said department spokesman Siphesihle Dube.
“Saturday, the 12th of December 2015, saw the highest number of deaths on a single day since the beginning of December: 11 deaths including 8 passengers and 3 pedestrians.”
While less pedestrians died in accidents in the first half of December compared to the same period last year, they still make up the bulk of deaths on the province’s road so far this festive season.
Twenty five of those killed were pedestrians, down from 35 during the same time last year.
The department cautioned motorists to be more vigilant, specifically when travelling along stretches of road considered to be hotspots.
The hotspots include the N1 highway between Brackenfell and Joostenberg Vlakte, the N2 between the turnoff to the Cape Town International Airport and the Spine Road turnoff, the N7 next to the Du Noon informal settlement, Vanguard Drive from Masemola Road to the R300, and the R300 between Vanguard Drive and the N2.
Photo: Gallo