The festive season road deaths for 2023/24 have been released, and it shows pedestrians account for more than half of all fatalities over the period in the Western Cape, and over 40% nationally.
Between 1 December 2023 and 11 January 2024, there were 164 traffic fatalities in the Western Cape compared to 131 fatalities in the previous year.
84 of these deaths in the province were pedestrians. The MEC of Mobility Ricardo Mackenzie has expressed concern about the continuing vulnerability of pedestrians.
He says 22 of the pedestrian deaths were ‘hit-and-runs.’
Mackenzie says it is the responsibility of the driver to report such an incident, even if they are unable to stop due to safety concerns.
”The reality is that our behaviour on the roads in South Africa is still deeply problematic and it has a devastating impact on our society. Despite our significant road safety efforts, we have a long way to go to turn the tide on poor road user behaviour.”
Nationally, there were 1 184 fatal crashes, compared to 2022/23 where 1 212 crashes were recorded, with 40,9% of the deaths being pedestrians.
Today we released our Festive Season Stats.
We welcome the 11% decrease in fatalities on Provincial Roads and will continue to work with all partners to continue reducing fatalities on all our roads.
We urging road users to please jointly work with us on road safety in 2024. pic.twitter.com/cg3GYQlQsy
— Ricardo Mackenzie MPL🇿🇦 (@ricardomackenzi) January 24, 2024
On the provincial enforcement front, provincial traffic officers stopped and checked over 271 000 vehicles, issued almost 90 000 fines for various traffic violations, made 576 arrests for drunk driving and 64 arrests for reckless and negligent driving, and removed approximately 1 000 unroadworthy vehicles from the roads.
Mackenzie says for the the first time in years, festive season road crashes occurred at all hours of the day, instead of predominantly at night, which underscores the need for an effective 24/7 law enforcement service.
Other noteworthy statistics for the Western Cape over the festive season include:
- 12 arrests for bribery
- 4 512 fines issued for tyre defects
- 105 arrests for fraudulent documentation
- 13 781 seatbelt offences
- 13 860 unlicensed vehicle offences
- 4 arrests of pedestrians – instances where the pedestrian is a source of danger on the road.
Mackenzie says law enforcement staff are already gearing up for the upcoming Easter holiday, using data and learnings to inform their tactical plans.
”Many fatal traffic incidents could be prevented by simple actions, which served as my call to action over this period: check your vehicle and tyres, buckle up, do NOT drink and drive, do NOT speed or take chances overtaking dangerously, and stop and rest every 200km.”
