Road Deaths Down 35% Despite Increased Traffic Volume in the Province | Western Cape Government

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Road Deaths Down 35% Despite Increased Traffic Volume in the Province

24 December 2013

Road deaths for the period 1 to 22 December 2013 are 35% down on the same period in 2012, (100 fatalities as against 153 last year).

Every fatality category is down with the exception of motorcycles.

The graph below illustrates vehicle accident fatalities for the same period from 2010-2013.

Road Fatalities

“It is encouraging that road users are heeding our calls to be more cautious and abide by the rules of the road. We know that without their co-operation, we will not see the results and the progress we are seeing, it is really heart-warming” said Robin Carlisle, Minister of Transport and Public Works in the province.

These Safely Home initiatives have been intensified during festive season:

  • It Takes A Second To Save A Life – a seat belt awareness campaign.
  • Average Speed Over Distance (ASOD) camera enforcement technology – speed awareness and enforcement initiative.
  • Fatigue management – through 24-hour road blocks along long distance routes.
  • Alcohol blitzes – through targeted roadblocks throughout the Province.
  • Public transport safety - including the Sticker safety check.
  • Pedestrian awareness campaigns

All this work is in a concerted effort towards our ultimate goal of reducing our total fatalities by 50% at the end of 2014 (calculated from 2009).

“In the same way that I thank motorists, I would like to thank all our partners who make all this possible.  Special thanks goes to the media who carry our messages to various stakeholders. In relation to our seatbelt awareness campaign, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the radio stations who did all they could to accommodate us. We appreciate your understanding of the importance of this message. Included in this gratitude there are our media agencies who help us formulate and deliver our messages effectively."  said Carlisle.

Carlisle said that the Average Speed Over Distance Camera enforcement was having an immediate and dramatic effect in saving lives. On some 200 extra kilometres of ASOD introduced since October, there had been only one fatal accident.

"What I am most excited about is the radical reduction in passenger fatalities – 62%. There can be no doubt that more and more passengers are 'buckling up' as a result of our Safely Home 'It Takes A Second To Save A Life' seat belt campaign."

Carlisle commended the people of the Western Cape and their visitors for taking a firm stand to save their own lives.

"What a super Christmas gift – a gift from the people of the Western Cape to themselves.  Special thanks to all our partners who make all this possible – the media who carry our safety message; the radio stations who broadcast our 'one second to save a life' campaign and the agencies who created it. Above all, to all traffic enforcement police; SAPS, and Emergency services”.  

“We fully understand that the festive season is still a long way to go. We are not going to be complacent and will continue to monitor the situation on our roads on a daily basis till our final tally in January,” concluded Minister Carlisle.

Media Enquiries: 

Sanele Nyoka
Head of Ministry
Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 5522
Cell: 083 641 9691
E-mail: sanele.nyoka@westerncape.gov.za