The Gauteng Traffic Police will continue their law-enforcement operations in the province following a high number of reported fatal crashes that led to major loss of lives during the Easter weekend.
The Gauteng Traffic Police have noted that no fatalities were reported during huge traffic volumes on Thursday; however, fatalities were experienced on Friday between 6pm and 10pm. This was as a result of people driving under the influence of alcohol,” said Sello Maremane, the Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson.
According to Maremane, the preliminary Easter Season Road Safety statistics revealed that Gauteng recorded 30 crashes resulting in 36 fatalities.
“While the figures are relatively high, the law-enforcement authorities have observed that a significant amount of work has been done to reduce the number of crashes leading to fatalities.”
The Gauteng Traffic Police have also noted that pedestrian fatalities increased by 35 percent from 30 percent recorded in 2019.
“What is of a concern is that most of these fatalities occurred between midnight and the early hours when people were expected to adhere to the curfew put in place by government to minimise the spread of Covid-19. It is encouraging that passenger fatalities declined from 38 percent to 34 percent. Deaths among motor-vehicle drivers and cyclists remained unchanged at around 30 percent and one percent respectively.
“Many fatal road crashes in Gauteng during the Easter season are attributed to attitude, vehicle as well as road factors. However, we are encouraged that the use of technology on Gauteng roads has assisted to ensure that vehicles that are not roadworthy are discontinued, and drunken drivers and speedsters are apprehended and locked behind bars,” Maremane added.
We have adopted 365 days to reinforce and conduct law-enforcement operations aimed at enhancing road safety in the province. The Gauteng Traffic Police would like to extend their deepest condolences to the families and friends who lost their loved ones during the Easter period, and wish a speedy recovery to those receiving medical treatment as a result of injuries sustained from crashes,” added Maremane.
