Road Deaths: Fatalities have INCREASED in FIVE provinces – Mbalula

The latest figures on the road deaths, which were released by Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, show that fatalities have risen in five provinces with exception of the Free State, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal and Limpopo.

The breakdown on road deaths is as follows in these provinces:

• Northern Cape recorded an increase of 60.0% from 20 deaths  in 2020 to 32 over the same period
• In the Western Cape, 106 people lost their lives on the road in 2021, which is less than the 71 people in 2020 – this represents an increase of 49.3
• In Mpumalanga, there was a rise of 26,4% from 87 in 2020 to 110 this year
• North West saw  an increase of 10,9% from 55 in 2020 to 61 over the same period
• Gauteng recorded an increase of 1.4% from 148 in 2020 to 150 over the same period

“Despite these grim statistics, it is important to note that thousands of road users continue to respect the law and obey the rules of the road. This is a responsibility we must all take seriously in order to make a difference and ensure that our roads are safe to travel on,” Mbalula said.

LATEST ROAD DEATHS: HOW DID OTHER PROVINCES DO?

The remaining provinces recorded much lower fatalities on the roads. Fikile Mbalula says the Eastern Cape experienced the highest drop – from 127 fatalities in 2021 to 88 so far in 2021, which represents a 30,7% decrease in deaths.

• Free State recorded an 8,3% decline in fatalities from 60 in 2020 to 55 over the same period
• In Limpopo, 89 people lost their lives on the roads this year, compared to 107 in 2020, which represents a 16,8% drop
• KwaZulu-Natal saw 131 people succumb to crashes in the current year, a drop from 173 in 2020, representing a 24.3% decrease

Mbalula says traffic law enforcement officers will be out and about this festive season.

“Our traffic law enforcement officers continue to punch above their weight in their planning for a safer Festive period. However, the responsibility for safety rests with all of us as road users. I therefore call on all citizens to exercise this responsibility to make South African roads safe”

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula