A national clampdown is in the offing to ensure all occupants in vehicles - not just the drivers - use seat belts.
Releasing the preliminary Easter holiday death toll in Pretoria on Monday, transport minister Ben Martins said most South Africans did not understand the importance of seat belts.
“Our people are so relaxed with the use of seat belts,” he said. “They tell you that it is uncomfortable. With that frame of mind we still have a serious challenge. People need to realise that safety comes before comfort and beauty.”
Martins said only two percent of rear seat passengers buckled up.
“In most vehicles we stopped, we found that only the driver wears a seat belt. The majority of rear-seat passengers simply do not use seat belts even when roadblocks are conducted,” he said.
“We have asked traffic officers to be more strict on people who do not use seat belts. We would like to see a situation where drivers and passengers are fined equally for not wearing seat belts.”
Martins said drivers would take the ultimate responsibility if passengers failed to wear seat belts.
“When you stop a minibus taxi, at best you find the driver and the passenger next to the driver wearing their seat belts but everybody else would not be wearing them,” he said.
“More than 30 percent of fatalities which occur on our roads are a result of rear-seat passengers not wearing seat belts. If people don’t heed the simple message of road safety, then we have to institute a punitive measure in their own interest.”
Preliminary figures indicated that at least 241 people died in 201 road accidents over the Easter holiday.
“It is regrettable - and sad reality - that this year's preliminary road fatality figure is higher than that of last year, which was 217 as a result of 181 fatal crashes,” said Martins.
“The final figures will be released once the SA Police Service and the traffic officials have reconciled the available information,” he said.
Most of those who died were pedestrians.
He said 250 000 vehicles were stopped during the holiday and 79 056 fines issued. Altogether 1039 licences were suspended and 1024 vehicles impounded.
“A total of 864 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. Approximately 600 of these motorists were arrested in urban areas,” he said.
The 2013 Easter weekend began on March 28 and ended on April 1.
It coincided with school holidays and took place at the end of the month, which heightened traffic volumes, said Martins.
Regarding the contentious e-tolling of Gauteng roads, Martins said the project would be put into practice.
“I would like to assure you that e-tolling is on track.”
“The bill been passed by the National Assembly of Parliament. Right now it is with the National Council of Provinces and thereafter we implement.
“Get your e-toll tags and get a discount.” said Martins. - Sapa