/ 21 April 2014

Easter weekend accident death toll at 103 so far

One person has died as a result of injuries sustained when a temporary scaffolding collapsed at a concert at the Cape Town Stadium due to high winds.
One person has died as a result of injuries sustained when a temporary scaffolding collapsed at a concert at the Cape Town Stadium due to high winds.

At least 103 people were killed in road accidents throughout the country over the Easter long weekend, the Road Traffic Management Corporation said on Monday.

"Up to the end of Saturday night, there were 103 fatalities and 80 crashes," said the corporation's chief executive, Gilberto Martins. "We don't have the full count. The final report will only be submitted tomorrow [Tuesday], and after 2pm it will be available."

Gauteng's community safety department said traffic continued to peak on Monday and the freeways were congested.

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) said road accidents in South Africa would continue until motorists behaviour was addressed.

"Until a number of road safety issues have been addressed we can expect the carnage on South African roads specifically around holiday seasons to continue," Sanral's road safety manager Elna Fourie said in a statement on Monday.

Fourie said Sanral's planned road safety event at the University of Pretoria on Tuesday would see a number of South Africans pledging responsible behaviour. These included not to text, drink, or speed while driving. – Sapa