Festive season road fatalities claim over 1 400 lives

A total of 1 427 road fatalities were recorded during the 2023/2024 festive season, says Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga who released the 2023/24 festive season road traffic statistics in Gauteng today.

She said 719 of these fatalities were recorded in the first three weeks of December last year, representing an overall decline of a 2.3% compared to the previous year where 162 people died on the country’s roads.

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FESTIVE SEASON MARKED BY HEAVY RAINFALL AND STORMS

“Most of the crashes occurred in the first week (December 01 to 07), the third week (December 15 to 21) and the fourth week (December 22 to 28). The first week incorporated the payday weekend when people had received bonuses and were having end of year parties.”

The Minister said the 2023-24 festive season period was marked by heavy rainfall and storms which created challenges on the road. Some drivers did not modify the speed in slippery and wet conditions and that resulted in avoidable crashes.

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THOSE WHO DIED WERE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 25 AND 44

The number of fatal crashes over the 2023/24 festive period is 1 184 which represent a 2,3 percent decline compared to 2022/23 festive season where 1 212 crashes were recorded. This decline was made possible by intensified law enforcement operations conducted, Chikunga said.

She added that most crashes occurred between 19:00 and 22:00, peaking between 20:00 and 21:00.

The Minister said 40.9% of those who died were pedestrians, while passengers accounted for 33.6%, drivers 24.6% and cyclists 0.8%.

The majority of those who died were between the ages of 25 and 44.

ALSO READ: Festive season crashes: Common cause of road accidents

PROVINCIAL BREAKDOWN IS AS FOLLOWS:

• Free State recorded a 27.4% decline
• Eastern Cape recorded a 21.5% decline
• Northern Cape recorded a 15.7% decline
• Limpopo recorded an 8.4% decline
• North West recorded a 2.1% decline
• Gauteng recorded a 7.6% increase
• KwaZulu Natal recorded a 4.2% increase
• Mpumalanga recorded a 9.7% increase
• Western Cape recorded a 22.6% increase

“I wish to commend our traffic officers, members of SA Police Service and emergency medical services for their sterling work, commitment, and dedication during this period. They sacrificed their family time and pleasure to as they committedly enforced the law,” the Minister said.

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