Preliminary figures show more than 1,700 people died on South African roads over the festive season, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters said on Tuesday.
“In the period between December 1, (2015) and January 11 (2016) the 1,387 fatal crashes experienced on the roads represents 11% increase in the number of crashes compared to the 2014 festive season where 1,253 were recorded,” Peters told reporters at a media briefing 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.
During the period under review, Peters said small motor vehicles accounted for 47.9% of total crashes, followed by light delivery vehicles at 22.7%. Minibuses and combo vehicles had 10.1% and trucks contributed 4.8%.
“The majority of people who died were passengers at 33.3% followed by pedestrians at 33.9%. Drivers contributed 23.9% of the fatalities and cyclists 2.8%,” said Peters.
The majority of those killed were males, making up 74% of total fatalities. Females accounted for 25.2% of the road deaths, while the sex of the remainder of those killed could not be established due to bodies being burnt beyond immediate recognition.
“Very disturbingly, of this number, 81.4% is apportioned to blacks while the remainder varies between coloureds, whites, Asians and foreigners,” said Peters.
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. Traffic officers arrested 6 000 motorists during this period for driving under the influence of alcohol.
-African News Agency
