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The Automobile Association says South Africa recorded yet another increase in road fatalities over the Easter weekend, which is another indication that the country requires urgent intervention to ensure better road safety.
According to Transport Minister, Sindisiwe Chikunga, 225 people died on the country's roads over the four-day weekend in 185 fatal accidents - an almost 40% increase compared to Easter 2022.
The AA says this increase in fatalities is horrific, and again points to a lack of proper road safety intervention by the government and the agencies responsible for the country's road safety.
"In announcing the statistics, the Minister indicated that the government would be rolling out a 365-day road safety campaign, which includes classifying traffic policing as a seven-day, 24-hour job. We call on her, the Department of Transport, and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to keep citizens informed on the progress of the implementation thereof", the AA said.
The AA says while these initiatives are welcomed, the Department and the RTMC must also work to improve road safety education in schools and implement better road safety campaigns throughout the year.
