Department releases Easter road fatality figures

THE preliminary 2017 Easter road fatality figures released by the Department of Transport show an increase of 51% from last year.

“In total the number of fatalities increased by 79 (51%) from 156 over the same period the previous year to 235 this year. However, this year’s fatalities are still significantly lower than the 333 fatalities recorded in 2015,” said Minister of Transport, Joe Maswanganyi.

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“Human factor still remains a causal factor for most of the crashes during this Easter period. As we all know, this can be avoidable if we all prioritise road safety and use our roads responsibly,” he added.

According to the preliminary statistics of the department, the largest group of deaths involved passengers at 50%, with pedestrians at 24.5%, drivers at 19.8% and cyclists at 5.7%. The majority of vehicles involved in fatal incidents were motorcars at 49%, followed by and LDVs at 20%. Minibuses accounted for 7.6% of the fatal crashes and busses for 1.1%.

According to the department of transport, KwaZulu-Natal saw an increase of 31 fatalities or 111%, from 28 to 59.

Meanwhile, the Automobile Association (AA) released a statement saying the statistics were cause for great concern.

“The AA views these numbers as a sad indictment on road traffic safety and enforcement initiatives, and calls on both the government and driving public, to take serious stock of what these numbers mean.

Last year’s preliminary figures indicated 156 deaths on our roads over the period. However, when the 30-day waiting period was over (which is customary when calculating final numbers) the fatalities rose by 57% to 245. If the same applies this year, the final figure may be as high as 370 fatalities. Apart from being deeply concerning, it is also totally unacceptable,” read the AA statement.

“A total of 174,253 vehicles were stopped and checked with the intention to remove un-roadworthy vehicles from our roads in all provinces,” said Maswanganyi.

There were 61,340 motorists charged with not wearing seatbelts; using mobile phones while driving; speeding and overloading. More than 2,800 people were arrested for drunken driving; inconsiderate, reckless or negligent driving; possession of false documents or driving without a licence. Seven were held for driving at speeds over 160kph.

“These are examples of the worst among the worst motorists who have no regard for road rules and the risk they pose to other motorists who obey the rules of the road. Our courts will show them no mercy and will give them the harshest penalties permissible.

To ensure there are severe consequences for the road rule offenders, we are at an advanced stage in negotiations with the department of justice to finalise the introduction of minimum sentences for negligent and reckless driving,” added Maswanganyi.

There are plans in place to reclassify drunken driving from a schedule 3 crime to schedule 5.

“Equally important, we have started a parliamentary process led by the portfolio committee on transport (PCoT) to extensively consult on the AARTO Amendment Bill, which will introduce demerits intended to improve the conduct and behaviour of drivers on the roads. We call upon all relevant stakeholders to participate in making submissions to the PCoT,” said Maswanganyi.

“One major issue was the continuous problems associated with people buying driving licences, instead of earning them, and with the issuing of fraudulent roadworthy certificates for vehicles which should not be on the road,” said the AA.

“Although law enforcement did everything to plan for a safer Easter period and authorities deployed their resources on the roads, ultimately the responsibility for safety rests on the shoulders of all of us as road users. I therefore call on all citizens to exercise this responsibility to make South African roads safe,” said Maswanganyi.

“One of the first steps needed now is for the department of transport, the RTMC, provincial road traffic authorities, and NGOs involved in road safety, including the AA, to begin looking at how this situation can be turned around for the festive period at the end of the year. Unless proper implementable plans are formulated, and put in motion now, we fear a repeat of these, and last year’s numbers is inevitable,” concluded the AA.

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