1,685 People Killed on SA’s Roads Over 42 Days During Festive Season
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has revealed that there were 1,685 deaths on the country’s roads over the last festive season.
Mbalula and the Road Traffic Management Cooperation’s (RTMC) released the 2021 Festive Season Road Statistics on Tuesday.
The deaths were recorded over a period of 42 days from December to January and the death toll is 14% higher than the 2020 holiday period.
Mbalula said that road fatalities had increased in seven provinces and declined in only two provinces.
“The Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal are the only provinces that recorded a decline in fatalities while the Northern Cape and Western Cape recorded the highest percentage increases in fatalities.”
Mbalula said human factors contributed 79% to the occurrence of fatal crashes while road factors contributed 11% and vehicle factors 10%.
“Though the picture may seem bleak and the hope for those who lost their loved ones may seem like a faint light in a distant horizon, we remain steadfast in our commitment to confront lawlessness and rogue behaviour on our roads.”
Mbalula said of particular interest is that 21 431 fines were issued for drivers who failed to wear seatbelts while 22 766 were for people who were driving without licences.
