Easter road deaths decline

This was according to preliminary figures announced by transport minister Dipuo Peters, which revealed that the death toll had dropped from 241 last year to 193 this year.

The number of fatal crashes had also dropped from 201 last year to 148 this year, she said.

In Gauteng, 23 fatalities and 22 crashes were recorded.

These were the findings of a report that was compiled by the police, evaluated by the Road Traffic Management Corporation and verified by provincial heads of the department of transport.

The report was compiled using figures captured from midnight on 21 April to midnight on 21 April.

During this period, 283 323 vehicles were stopped and checked, 43 433 notices were issued, 1 094 vehicles were discontinued, 1 457 vehicles were impounded, 330 motorists were arrested for drunken driving, and 10 motorists were arrested for dangerous and negligent driving.

“If we make reference to the two previous years, in 2012 we recorded 181 crashes which resulted in 217 fatalities,” Peters said.

“And in 2013 we recorded 201 crashes, which resulted in 241 fatalities.”

Peters noted that this year’s lower road statistics was an indication that efforts to reduce the number of road accidents and deaths on South Africa’s roads were starting to yield results. She also lauded motorists, saying their behaviour on the roads seemed to have improved.

However, she expressed concern about the number of pedestrians that were killed on the country’s roads.

Pedestrians accounted for 40 percent of those killed during the Easter period.

“We need to really deal with the 40 percent of pedestrians. That is our biggest barrier right now.”

According to Peters, lack of courtesy towards other road users, alcohol abuse, and reckless and negligent driving remained the leading factors contributing to road accidents.