Cape Town - The first fortnight of the festive season has already claimed 49 lives on Western Cape roads, with pedestrians accounting for 69 percent of deaths.
MEC of Transport and Public Works Donald Grant said it was worrying that pedestrian deaths has increased by 26 percent, compared with the same period last year, while road deaths are down by 14 percent.
“Most concerning thus far is that 34 deaths of the total 49 deaths in the first 14 days of December have been pedestrians.”
The pedestrian fatalities occurred on the N1 between Brackenfell and Joostenbergvlakte, on the N2 between Cape Town International Airport and Spine Road, on the N7 adjacent to Dunoon, Vanguard Drive between Masemola Road and the R300, and on the R300 between Vanguard Drive and the N2.
“Pedestrian deaths are themselves up from 27 pedestrian deaths in 2013 to 34 pedestrian deaths this year; an increase of 26 percent. Comparative road deaths are down 14 percent from 57 in 2013 to 49 deaths so far this December, which is indicative of improved behaviour and attitudes towards road safety. Pedestrian incidents, however, remain unacceptably high.”
Recent studies showed a link between pedestrian deaths and alcohol consumption, with alcohol found present in 58 percent of pedestrian fatalities where blood was tested, and in 90 percent of male pedestrians killed at night.
“Alcohol consumption and road use remain a deadly combination for all road users, particularly pedestrians,” said Grant.
Traffic authorities have warned of “around the clock” visible policing to curb road deaths which cost the province R21 billion last year. Over the weekend traffic officials stopped 2 353 vehicles in 20 “alcohol blitz” roadblocks as part its provincial safety campaign.
During the blitz 1 400 drivers were screened and 43 were arrested.
The highest breath alcohol reading was six times the legal limit of 0.24mg/1 000ml, recorded in Somerset West. Of 6 151 vehicles screened for speeding, 613 were found to be speeding, and 263 fines issued for various traffic violations amounted to R349 650.
The highest speed was recorded on the N1 Brackenfell and Worcester areas, with one driver clocking 158km/h in a 120km/h zone and another at 157km/h in a 100km/h zone.
“With traffic volumes set to increase as the festive season continues, I urge all motorists to be extra mindful of pedestrians on our roads, particularly at night when many pedestrians are likely to have consumed alcohol.
“Pedestrians are also urged to be highly visible to motorists at all times, as well as to steer clear of pedestrian no-go areas, namely highways, where it is not only dangerous for pedestrians to walk, but also illegal,” said Grant.
Cape Argus