Minister Carlisle Releases Safely Home Fatality Statistics

Robin Carlisle, Minister for Transport and Public Works, has released the fatality statistics for 2012, up until the end of April.

"Although the total number of deaths on our roads over April 2012 was 107 [see graph below], five deaths more than the previous year's 102, this time around the month contained two long weekends, instead of the usual one," Minister Carlisle said.

"While slightly more drivers, motorcyclists, passengers and pedestrians were killed this year, forensic pathology statistics show that this year, for the first time since 2008, not a single cyclist died."

"The 104 deaths on our roads in January 2012 showed a slight drop on last year's 109, although February (99) and March (92) this year recorded almost unheard of numbers, which is below the 100 mark."

"Last year's February death toll was 129, while 147 lives were lost in March last year," said Minister Carlisle.

"What these numbers tell us is that while fatalities are dropping overall, holiday periods remain the most dangerous times of the year to be on the roads."

Minister Carlisle called the overall 2012 tally of 402 fatalities for the four months between January to April "a massive improvement on last year's 487, 2010's 502, 2009's 537 and 2008's 562".

On 6 October 2011, Minister Carlisle announced that behavioural changes brought about by the Safely Home campaign had resulted in the saving "of the lives of 773 men, women and children".

Minister Carlisle said he anticipated that the Western Cape would be passing the "1 000 lives saved mark" in the next few weeks.

"I would like to acknowledge the increasing number of motorists who are driving responsibly and doing their bit to get everyone safely home," he said.

"Without their support, government's actions would not have had the same effect. This partnership between government and responsible citizens is a wonderful example of better together."

"However, I believe the number of people dying on our roads is still far too high, and I believe the time has come to start publicly exposing dangerous drivers," Minister Carlisle said.

"They might not think that they are being watched, but members of the public are responding to our call to come forward with the identities of drivers that they see endangering the lives of the innocents on our roads."