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- Six provinces registered a decrease in deaths, while three registered an increase.
- There was a 5.7% decrease in road fatalities and an 8% decrease in crashes.
- There were 2,111 motorists stopped at roadblocks during the first 20 days of December.
A total of 690 people lost their lives on the roads of South Africa during the first 20 days of December, a decrease from last year’s holiday season statistics.
This was revealed by Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula during a briefing on preliminary statistics for the holiday season on Tuesday.
“It is unfortunate that 690 people lost their lives on our roads during the period of December 1-20, 2020, compared to 732 during the same period in 2019. While this represents a 5.7% year-on-year decrease, it is not cause for celebration. A life lost on our roads is a life of more, “said Mbalula.
Furthermore, accidents experienced an 8% decrease compared to 2019.
Between 18 and 19 December, an average of 2,439 cars per hour was recorded on the N1 from Gauteng to Limpopo and 1,547 cars per hour on the N3 from Johannesburg to Durban, which according to Mbalula was slightly lower compared to 2019.
READ ALSO | Magistrate Arrested for Alleged Drunk Driving During Holiday Season Operations in Gauteng
“The peak travel period is upon us, and we expect traffic volume to increase between now and Thursday, followed by another peak on December 31. The final peak is expected on January 3-10, 2021, as many people will return to major cities, before the reopening of industries and schools, “he said.
Since the beginning of the holiday season, various law enforcement agencies have been conducting barricades across the country.
During the first 20 days of December, 416 roadblocks were made, 634 166 vehicles were stopped and traffic fines were imposed on 109 529 motorists for various infractions.
While it is encouraging to see a decrease in deaths to date, we are still a long way from achieving the 20% target we have set for ourselves this year. I urge all road users to exercise extreme caution when entering the second phase of our peak travel period. pic.twitter.com/uJn8mQeeGF
– Minister of Transport | Mr Fix (@MbalulaFikile) December 22, 2020
“A total of 2,111 motorists were arrested for various crimes. [A total] 896 were arrested for driving while intoxicated, 336 for speeding and 588 arrest warrants for outstanding traffic tickets.
“The highest speed was on the N1 near Ventersburg in the Free State, where a motorist was caught traveling at 150 miles per hour,” Mbalula said, adding that most motorists were in compliance with the law.
The following six provinces recorded a decrease in road deaths:
• Northern Cape recorded a 23.5% decrease, with 13 deaths, compared to 17 in 2019.
• The Western Cape recorded a 26.6% decrease, with 69 deaths, compared to 94 in 2019.
• Free State registered a decrease of 28.8%, with 47 fatalities, compared to 66 in 2019.
• Gauteng recorded a decrease of 18.7%, with 122 deaths, compared to 150 in 2019.
• North West recorded a decrease of 5.8%, with 49 deaths, compared to 52 in 2019.
• KwaZulu-Natal recorded a 3% decrease, with 131 deaths, compared to 135 in 2019.
The three remaining provinces registered an increase:
• The Eastern Cape recorded an increase of 21.5%, with 96 deaths, compared to 79 in 2019.
• Limpopo registered an increase of 18.4%, with 90 deaths, compared to 76 in 2019.
• Mpumalanga registered an increase of 15.9%, with 73 deaths, compared to 63 in 2019.
Mbalula also appeared in various videos, which have been shared on social media, where people can be seen partying on the road.
“We are equally dismayed by the video clips of shameful behavior by young people, in what is known as a Dinho convoy along the R80 Mabopane motorway towards the Daspoort tunnel, who were partying, drinking and blocking the road in large numbers These cowardly acts invariably end in tragedy as was the case with the Mabopane incident, “he said.
“This conduct is unacceptable, and our law enforcement authorities will show no mercy towards people who turn our roads into party places and disregard the rules of the road or Covid-19 regulations,” he added.
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