Road fatalities drop over Easter weekend

MBOMBELA – The number of fatalities in the province during this year’s Easter holidays dropped by 77 % as compared to the same period last year.

This year seven lives were lost while the province recorded 31 fatalities last year during the Easter weekend.

The province recorded six fatal crashes as compared to last year’s 25 fatal crashes.

Out of these crashes, 10 people sustained serious injuries, while last year over the same period, 138 people were seriously injured in road crashes.

MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Gabisile Shabalala reflected on these numbers and said any loss of life or injury on the road is one too many and therefore deeply regrettable.

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She added that it remains government’s goal to eradicate road crashes. Shabalala also believes that this goal can only be achieved if all stakeholders work together, including the motorists.

“Motorists should not drive well and obey the rules only when they see the traffic officers. Considerate and positive driver behaviour must become second nature in every motorist so that needless loss of life is eliminated.”

We must use the road with great care and whether there are high traffic volumes or not, if we all follow the rules, there will be fewer deadly crashes,” Shabalala said.

She also encouraged law enforcement officers to continue showing no mercy on reckless and negligent driving.

She explained that this they should do by among others arresting those who are not obeying the rules.

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The MEC also sent condolences to the bereaved families and wished those who were injured a speedy recovery.