The number of fatalities, motor vehicle accidents and cars on the road decreased significantly during the December holidays, Transport Minister Jeff Radebe said on Thursday.
”In short, we have achieved a reduction of 31% in fatalities, a reduction of 33% in the number of fatal crashes as well as a reduction of 32% in the number of vehicles involved,” he said in a statement.
Radebe was announcing the fatal crash statistics of the Arrive Alive campaign for the past holiday period in Sasolburg.
There were a total of 1 003 fatal accidents between December 2008 and January 2009, 512 less than December and January 2007/08.
Of this total, 358 accidents involved pedestrians, killing 436 pedestrians.
”Together, government and local communities must intensify pedestrian safety campaigns to address this problem,” Radebe said.
The biggest decrease in the number of fatalities was recorded in Gauteng (down 49,6%), the smallest in the Free State (down 9,6%). Limpopo was the only province which recorded an increase of 3,2%.
The statistics also showed a minor decrease in traffic volumes on major routes from Gauteng over the period.
On the N1 between Pretoria and Polokwane traffic volumes decreased 10,6% from 489 505 vehicles to 437 375.
The number of vehicles travelling between Johannesburg and Durban along the N3 fell 4,2% from 419 714 to 401 755.
On the N4 at Middelburg there were 3,2% fewer vehicles, down from 292 251 to 282 771.
However, a marked increase in traffic volumes was recorded at Queenstown on the N6 where more vehicles were counted going in both directions.
Traffic volumes increased 7,5% at the Verkeerdevlei toll plaza on the N1, 55km north of Bloemfontein.
Radebe said the increase in traffic volumes in these areas seemed not to have had a negative influence on the fatal crashes and fatalities in the Eastern Cape and Free State.
Motorists this year staggered their travel time not to coincide with peak traffic periods. Radebe said there was also a preference for alternative routes.
Motorists had also tried to avoid national routes which were under construction. – Sapa