It is less, but does this constitute an improvement in road fatalities?
Road fatalities in Gauteng for the Easter weekend has been halved, but said Eugene Herbert, “The flooding in KwaZulu- Natal just before Easter and over the course of the weekend, which is believed to be as a result of climate change, may likely have reduced the number of travellers to the region. According to a source that works along the Van Reenen’s Pass, it was estimated that only 600 cars an hour passed through, as opposed to previous years when the average was 3 000 cars an hour.
“Ultimately, there were five times less the normal number of cars on that section of the route than normal. If the road fatality rate was proportionately equal to last year, then ‘only’ five people should have lost their lives on the road. Thus, while 16 seems like a great improvement compared to last year’s 30, viewed from this perspective it’s still not quite what we should hope it to be. Additionally, these figures do not account for traffic returning home from holiday destinations.”
It could be reasoned that is more likely the consequences of climate change that is responsible for reduced road fatalities than what it is due to changed driver behaviour or improved road safety strategies. “The events in KZN were tragic with hundreds of people losing their lives, with the loss of homes and even livelihoods.
“In a similar vein, as we have been hesitant to draw comparisons of road fatality rates between years that fell within the lockdown period, South Africans need to also employ some cautious optimism about road fatalities reducing this year as well. It is notable that the government appears to be displaying the same caution as the reduction was not seen as a success, but statements made rather encouraged drivers to obey the rules of the road to bring these fatalities down to a minimum.”
What can be said with certainty is that climate change and the devastating consequences impacted many lives. “It has either increased the loss of life, due to the natural disaster that resulted or potentially decreased the chances of being in a crash as holidays were cancelled or postponed.
“Either way, the resulting loss of life in either scenario is a tragic burden for the country to bear during what is an already difficult time for many. MasterDrive sends its heartfelt condolences to every family that lost a loved one over the last week,” said Herbert.
Source: MotorPress
