More than 560 people have died on South African roads since the beginning of December, the Department of Transport said on Tuesday.
”Figures provided by the SAPS [South African Police Services] to the national fatal accident information centre indicate that 564 lives have been lost as a result of 471 reported crashes with an additional 71 crashes still being followed up,” the said department’s spokesperson Collen Msibi.
At least 119 people were killed in accidents in Gauteng, 86 in KwaZulu-Natal, 58 in the Western Cape, 70 in the Eastern Cape, 52 in the Free State, 74 in Mpumalanga, 51 in Limpopo, seven in the Northern Cape amd 47 in the North West.
Msibi said statistics for the same period last year indicated a total of 884 accidents — 413 more than this year.
Msibi also urged motorists to drive carefully.
”Drivers should drive slowly, allowing for sufficient space and time to stop the vehicle in case of an emergency,” he said.
He said drivers should switch on their headlights when visibility was poor and should ensure that their wiper blades and lights were working.
”Drive cautiously and budget for delays. Never put yourself under pressure as that in many instances leads to unsafe overtaking on barrier lines,” he said. – Sapa