Road Death Figures on Western Cape Roads for September

Road deaths in the Western Cape in September 2012 rose by 20% when compared to the same month last year. September 2011 recorded 83 fatalities on our roads, the lowest figure of any month since January 2008. The month of September 2012 ended with 100 people killed on our roads.

The comparative figures are:

• September, 2008: 151
• September, 2009: 128
• September, 2010: 125
• September, 2011: 83
• September, 2012: 100

Whilst there was a long weekend in September 2012 which did not feature in September 2011, the increase in fatalities is a bitter blow, made worse by the high percentage of pedestrian fatalities. The long weekend in September this year (to commemorate Heritage Day) saw the loss of 18 lives on our roads in total, ten of which occurred on Heritage Day (Monday, 24 September).

The overall reduction in road fatalities to end September 2012 is now 28.2%.

“Despite the setback, we are still well on track to, through the Safely Home Campaign, reducing road deaths in the province by 50% by the end of 2014. That goal will be achieved,” said Transport and Public Works Minister Robin Carlisle.