Increase in Easter road death toll
The number of people who died on the country’s road over the Easter long weekend has shown an increase compared to the same period last year.
The number of deaths increase in all provinces except Mpumalanga, Western Cape and North West.
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga says the number of fatalities increased by 64 compared to the previous year.
“The total number of fatal crashes this year is 185 resulting in 225 fatalities as opposed to the same period the previous year when we recorded 135 fatal crashes that resulted in 161 fatalities.”
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Chikunga adds that men accounted for more fatalities.
“The statistics on gender classification shows that there was a decrease in female fatalities from 28% in 2022 to 19% in 2023 and male fatalities increased from 67% in 2022 to 70%. Most of these are young aspiring professionals whose careers are beginning to shine. They possessed the skills that are needed to grow our country’s economy and to reduce poverty, inequality, and underdevelopment.”
According to Chikunga human behaviour, including drunk, reckless and negligent driving, was a factor in some 96% of fatalities.
