Mbalula de Ruyter evidence Eskom

ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula says former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter mut present the evidence. Image: Flickr

Mbalula to release festive season road traffic stats on Tuesday

Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula will on Tuesday release the official road traffic statistics for the 2022/23 festive season.

Mbalula de Ruyter evidence Eskom

ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula says former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter mut present the evidence. Image: Flickr

Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, will on Tuesday, 17 January 2023 release the festive season road traffic statistics.

Mbalula will conduct the briefing on the N1 at the Grasmere Toll Plaza at 10:00. 

ROAD TRAFFIC STATISTICS TO BE RELEASED 

According to the Department of Transport, Mbalula will also interact with road users during a law enforcement operation. 

He is also expected to give feedback regarding efforts undertaken by authorities to stabilise and reduce road crashes in hotspot routes involving heavy vehicles on the N3 and Pongola.

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A number of road accidents that left victims seriously injured and also claimed lives were reported at the height of the festive season in some national roads.

At least 8 547 young people lost their lives on the roads between 2019 and 2021. The statistics, which were released by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) earlier in 2022, speak about people between the ages of 21 and 34 years old.

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30 TO 34 AGE GROUP MOST AFFECTED

According to RTMC, during this three-year period, people between 30 and 34 years old were the most affected category. A massive 3 661 people in this age category died due to crashes.

Spokesperson for RTMC Simon Zwane referred to the information as ‘alarming statistics’. Zwane said that young people need to prioritise road safety as they continue with festivities.

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Speaking about the contributing factors for the crashes, Zwane brought up reluctance to use safety belts, high speeds and driving under the influence of alcohol.

“Factors that contribute to the high number of road fatalities among the youth include persistent risk-taking behaviour such as reluctance to use safety belts, driving at speeds that are too high for circumstances and driving under the influence of alcohol,” Zwane said.

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