Mpumalanga -
Fewer people died on Mpumalanga roads this festive season compared to 2011, the provincial community safety, security and liaison department said on Friday.
“Fatalities have been reduced from 2011’s 118 to 102in 2012,” said department spokesman Joseph Mabuza.
He said there had also been a decrease in the number of accidents.
“Since the beginning of December 2012, the province has recorded 426 accidents as compared to 452 in 2011.”
The Gert Sibande region had the most accidents with 43 being reported, the Nkangala region was second with 31 and Ehlanzeni followed with 28.
MEC for community safety, security and liaison Vusi Shongwe said although they had made progress in reducing road crashes and fatalities, there was still room for improvement.
He agreed with national Transport Minister Ben Dikobe Martin’s call for road users to prioritise life over convenience.
“Our road users need to begin valuing life even more while they are driving. We need to learn to be more tolerant to one another and stop breaking the law needlessly,” he said.
On Thursday, Shongwe joined traffic officials in conducting a roadblock on the N2 between Piet Retief and Ermelo, where over 330 vehicles were stopped and checked.
A total of 109 fines were issued and 27 unroadworthy cars were taken off the road. One person was arrested for driving with a fake licence. - Sapa