Transport minister concerned over high number of road fatality amongst young people

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Transport minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has raised concern over the high number of road fatality amongst young people over the festive season.

Chikunga said it’s worrying that those aged 25 and 44 are perishing in avoidable crashes.

The minister was briefing the media on Wednesday on the N1 Grasmere Toll Plaza where she revealed that 1427 people lost their lives on the country’s roads.

Although the number represents a decrease of 1.7% from the previous year, Chikunga said these are not just numbers but actual human beings.

Free State recorded a 27.4% decline.
EC recorded a 21.5% decline
NC recorded a 15.7% decline
Limpopo recorded an 8.4% decline
NW recorded a 2.1% decline
GP recorded a 7.6% increase
KZN recorded a 4.2% increase
Mpumalanga recorded  a 9.7% increase, and
WC recorded a 22.6% increase pic.twitter.com/BdtsYI2gu0

— Department of Transport (@Dotransport) January 24, 2024

She added that the leading contributor to road fatality still remain human factors and these are actual persons whose aspirant hopes and ambitions were dashed.

In a heartfelt speech, Chikunga took a moment of silence to recognise those who have lost their lives and the opportunity to humanise those who have lost their lives on the roads.

Among those mentioned include renowned playwright Mbongeni Ngema, member of parliament Alice Mthembu and two Newcastle-based medical doctors Dr. Sondezi and Dr. Mhlobo.

“The period shows that human factors contributed 80.8% of the crashes, environmental factors contributed 10.4% as a result of heavy rainfall and storms, while vehicle factors contributed about 8.8%.

“According to the statistics, 40.9% of those who died were pedestrians, passengers accounted for 33.6%, drivers accounted for 24.6% and cyclists accounted for 0.8%,” she stated.

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Chikunga accredited the decline in fatal crashes to the intensified law enforcement operations conducted and the high police visibility throughout the country.

More than 1.4 million vehicles were stopped and checked during these operations with 7 820 drivers arrested for, among other things, driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, producing false documentation and excessive speeding.

Five provinces – including the Free State, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Limpopo and North West – recorded fewer fatalities while other provinces recorded increases.