Free State’s festive season road fatalities decrease

The festive season, notorious for high fatalities in South Africa, saw proactive efforts led by Free State’s MEC Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae during 2023.

Recognising the increased traffic on major national roads such as N1, N3, N6, N5, and N8, the MEC collaborated with stakeholders, including law enforcement, for an assertive road safety campaign in December 2023.

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FREE STATE ROAD FATALITIES DROP

The strategic efforts paid off, resulting in a substantial 27.4% reduction in road fatalities within the province, according to Business Weekly.

Premier Mxolisi Dukwana, and the Free State Provincial government’s collaborative measures contributed to a 1.7% national decline in road fatalities.

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Hillary Mophethe, Corporate Communication for the department, highlighted that the province recorded 72 fatalities, with significant reductions in Thabo Mofutsanyana, Lejweleputswa, Fezile Dabi, Xhariep, and Mangaung regions.

Mophethe emphasized that the N1, N3, and N8 roads were major contributors to fatalities, mainly due to reckless driving.

MEC Letsoha-Mathae commended the efforts of traffic officers, police, immigration officials, and other law enforcement agencies for their outstanding work, underscoring the collective responsibility for road safety.

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DEPT OF TRANSPORT DISSECTS FATALITIES

The provincial breakdown of fatalities is as follows:

• Gauteng experienced a 23.8 percent increase in fatalities, totaling 187, compared to the previous year.
• KwaZulu-Natal saw a 6.3 percent decrease in fatalities, with a recorded total of 135, compared to the previous year.
• Limpopo maintained the same fatality count as the previous year, with 88 reported fatalities.
• Mpumalanga witnessed a 6.6 percent increase in fatalities, reaching a total of 81, compared to the previous year.
• Western Cape reported a 1.3 percent decrease in fatalities, totaling 76, compared to the previous year.
• Eastern Cape recorded a significant 41.0 percent decrease in fatalities, with a total of 59, compared to the previous year.
• Free State documented a 7.0 percent decrease in fatalities, totaling 49, compared to the previous year.
• North West experienced a notable 17.8 percent decrease in fatalities, with a recorded total of 37, compared to the previous year.
• Northern Cape showcased a substantial 49.7 percent decrease in fatalities, totaling 16, compared to the previous year.

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RTMC emphasizes the Minister’s release of provisional festive season statistics as a vital step in evaluating and improving road safety.

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