CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape has recorded the second highest increase of fatalities on the country’s roads so far this festive season.
During the preliminary release of the festive season road statistics on Wednesday, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said that yesterday marked the midpoint of the festive season which officially ended on January 11, 2022.
“We have seen a 142% spike in crashes with multiple fatalities, resulting in 17 such crashes so far this year compared to 7 over the same period. The number of fatalities from major crashes also increased from 34 last year to 111 this year,” said Mbalula.
“Statistics showed that people who died on the roads this year were passengers at 35%, followed by pedestrians at 34%, drivers at 26%, motorcyclists at 1% and bicycle riders at 1%,” Mbalula added.
Fatalities increased in five provinces including the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, North West and Gauteng.
The Western Cape recorded an increase of 49.3% from 71 fatalities in 2020 to 106 over the same period.
This while the Northern Cape saw an increase of 60%, Mpumalanga 26.4%, North West 10.9% and Gauteng 1.6%.
Transport and Public Works MEC, Daylin Mitchell, said several factors had played a role in the increase.
“While we are concerned about the number of fatalities, we are also grateful to road users who abide by the rules of the road; they are the vast majority.
“Statistics should be seen in context. Those released thus far are a snapshot for a specific period – specifically the period following the closing of schools and a rush of traffic wanting to make a start with the Festive Season break. In addition, during the previous festive season roads were characterised by lower traffic volumes due to beach closures and higher alert levels. These factors had a dramatic impact of vehicle numbers. We are therefore seeing significantly higher traffic volumes this season and with an increase in traffic volumes comes the likelihood of more crashes,” said Mitchell.
He added that crashes involved multiple fatalities which pushed up the fatality statistics and the number of incidents.
“One fatality is one too many. We are doing our part. We need road users to support us. We will continue with our operations throughout the season to keep road users safe.”
Mayco member for for Safety and Security, JP Smith said it was “disappointing to see the increase in fatalities year-on-year”.
“Yet many motorists continue to take reckless chances, whether it be speeding or overtaking when it is not safe to do so, driving whilst tired or even under the influence of alcohol. In addition, not nearly enough drivers invest in vehicle fitness checks before they embark on their journeys. We really need the public to step up and take responsibility for their own actions,” he said.
He added that the City’s enforcement agencies (Traffic, Law Enforcement, Metro Police) were conducting patrols and operations.
“Roadblocks are continuing throughout the festive season, to clamp down on drunk driving, reckless and negligent driving and illegal street racing. In addition, we will set up vehicle checkpoints around the major public transport interchanges, to check driver and vehicle fitness, as these long distance operators leave town,” Smith said.
Cape Times