Durban - More than 26 537 traffic violations were written up over the Christmas period, prompting concern from MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu.
On Christmas Eve, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters said the number of road deaths in December had fallen countrywide compared with a year ago.
There were 917 road deaths in 764 collisions in South Africa last December. This month, 677 people were killed in 539 crashes.
According to department spokesman Kwanele Ncalane, Mchunu said the fact that the figures remained high was a clear indication people continued to disregard traffic laws and were driving recklessly.
Ncalane said most of the written charges were issued for excessive speeding, unroadworthy vehicles, failure to fasten seat belts and driving without a driver’s licence.
The spokesman said 178 motorists had been arrested in the province for drinking and driving since the start of the festive season.
Preliminary reports indicated 191 people had been killed in 165 crashes in KZN since the start of December.
Reacting to the initial statistics, Mchunu said too many people were still being killed on the province’s roads. He said human error was the biggest contributor.
“Most of these accidents are caused by people driving under the influence of alcohol and motorists who go out of their way to violate traffic laws. It pains me that people continue to lose their lives and we have such a high number of crashes,” he said.
Mchunu commended traffic officials who ran overnight operations in known accident “hot spots” in the province, saying their dedication would undoubtedly have an effect on reducing fatalities.
“These overnight operations will continue until the end of the holidays. We appeal to those who undermine traffic laws to spare a thought for the lives of others.
“Our law enforcement officers will continue to ensure that those found in the wrong are dealt with firmly,” said Mchunu.
Meanwhile a serious accident at the corner of Aliwal Street and Commercial Road in the Durban city centre left four injured, one critically, when a bus and a car collided just after 9.30pm on Friday night.
Rescue Care paramedics said the bus had T-boned the VW Golf before losing control and crashing through a fence. Paramedics found people trapped in both vehicles.
Sunday Tribune