PRELIMINARY statistics show that the number of fatal crashes experienced over the festive period has decreased as compared to the previous festive season.
This is according to Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, who was addressing the media on Wednesday, 24 January in Gauteng.
“The number of fatal crashes experienced over the festive period is 1 184, which represent a 2,3% decline compared to the previous festive season,” she said.
Chikunga said this decline was made possible by the intensified law enforcement operations conducted and the high police visibility throughout the country.
He said a closer examination of the crashes and fatalities over the festive period showed that most of the crashes occurred in the first week of December, the third week and the fourth week and that most crashes took place between 7pm and 10pm with the peak between 8pm and 9pm.
“More than 1,4 million vehicles were stopped and checked in the period under review, with 7 820 drivers arrested for among others driving under the influence of alcohol, inconsiderate and reckless driving, producing false documentation and excessive speeding,” she explained.
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Chikunga further said: “I wish to commend our traffic officers, members of the South African Police Services and emergency medical services for their sterling work, commitment, and dedication during this period. They sacrificed their family time and pleasure as they committedly enforced the law and working hard to save lives.”
The minister further highlighted that there are some provinces where traffic officers don't work on a 24/7 shift system and still get to claim when they are required to work overtime.
“We will continue to have engagements with MECs and trade unions as social partners to ensure that we remove all obstacles that have so far made it difficult to implement the Code and all its provisions,” said Chikunga.
“We cannot afford these delays when our people are dying in preventable circumstances on the roads. We will also be engaging with the Police Prisons and Civil Rights Union (Popcru) on their proposals to improve traffic law enforcement in the country. We believe their proposals may be of great assistance in reducing road crashes and saving lives,” she said.
