LIMPOPO – Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula this morning (January 18) revealed the statistics of the 42 days of the 2021 festive season’s Arrive Alive campaign.
Mbalula addressed various role players at the Grassmere Toll Plaza, where he cited back-to-back extended long weekends and rainy weather for the increase of fatalities.
“The 2021 festive period posed a big challenge to road safety and the rainy weather proved to be a complicating factor. According to the South African Weather Service, heavy rains measuring between 100 and 200mm fell in many provinces during December 2021. In some provinces, torrential rainfalls measuring between 200 and 500mm were experienced resulting in damage to infrastructure such as roads and bridges,” his statement reads.
Mbalula said while these challenges were noted, in a number of these instances “the competence of our drivers leaves much to be desired”.
He mentioned that the overwhelming majority of fatal crashes were single motor vehicles that overturned and head-on collisions. “We need to pay serious attention to the competence of drivers and our interventions going forward will pay serious attention to this.”
Mbalula sent his heartfelt condolences to those who lost their loved ones over this period and he gave special mention to the horrific incident on the N1 on January 12. “We saw some of the most heart-wrenching crashes claiming many lives in a single crash. On January 12, a head-on collision claimed 17 lives and injured eight others on the N1 near Mookgophong in Limpopo. The bus driver lost his life along with the passengers due to the bus catching fire and them being entrapped immediately after impact.”
Read more: N1 horror bus crash: Death toll climbs to 17
The statistics released by the minister indicate that traffic officials conducted 651 roadblocks throughout the country and that 264 690 fines were issued for various traffic offences.
“Of particular interest is that 21 431 of these fines were for drivers who failed to wear seatbelts, while 22 766 were for people who were driving without licences. It is our intention to ensure that the law bites and driving on our roads without a driving licence carries a heavy penalty, otherwise the mooted points demerit system will make no difference in driver behaviour. A total of 4 251 unroadworthy vehicles were discontinued while 4 073 vehicles were impounded,” he explained.
Mbalula said they continue to lay down the law when it comes to drunken driving, speeding and moving violations. “Officers arrested 6 169 motorists for these offences, of which 1 586 of these were for drunken driving. A total of 605 drivers were arrested for driving at excessive speeds of between 190km/h to well above 220km/h. The highest speedster was arrested in Limpopo for travelling at 225km/h,” he added.
Read more: Speedster caught driving 225km/h on N1 south
The minister revealed that road fatalities increased in seven provinces and declined in two; the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, while the Northern Cape and Western Cape recorded the highest percentage increases in fatalities.
Main causes of road fatalities for 2021 festive season period:
- Jaywalking
- Speeding
- Wet or slippery road surfaces
- Overtaking across barrier lines
- Poor visibility
Also read: N1 north accident: Health MEC mourns loss of EMS worker
He said a total of 1 685 fatalities were recorded over this festive period, which is an increase of 14% to the previous year. “The Eastern Cape recorded the largest decline in fatalities with a reduction of 7.9% or 210 fatalities compared to the same period last year. Limpopo recorded a 16.5% increase moving from 194 fatalities in the previous period to 226 in this period.”
Most crashes occurred between 17:00 and 19:00, particularly on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Mbalula said it is alarming to note that there were more fatalities per crash in 2021 than compared to previous periods. “This resulted in high passenger fatalities this year compared to the previous period. Passenger fatalities constituted 38% in the current period compared to the previous 32%. Pedestrian fatalities significantly decreased from 41% previously to 31% in the current reporting period.”
According to the statistics, light motor vehicles contributed 49% to the total crashes followed by light delivery vehicles at 17%. “Minibus vehicles contributed 8% and trucks accounted for 6%.
The taxi and freight industries must do more to reduce the number of crashes caused by their vehicles as they contributed higher fatalities per crash compared to other vehicles,” he explained and said necessary actions will be taken.
Mbalula said to address driver competency and putting measures in place to eliminate fraud, they “are making significant progress in rolling out computerised learner’s licence testing”.
“We will now commence with the task of planning for the next peak travel period by ensuring that we allocate resources appropriately, that we plan and manage overtime and we reduce fatalities every day of the year,” he concluded.
Also read: [LISTEN] Limpopo traffic cops lay down the law
