By Hassan Isilow
A total of 512 people have been killed in road accidents across South Africa since the start of the festive season on Dec. 1, the country’s transport minister has said.
“It’s unfortunate to report to you today that despite all of the work that we have been doing there has been an increase in accidents and also an increase in fatalities,” Barbara Creecy said in her mid-festive season update on road safety on Thursday in Cape Town.
She said road accident fatalities increased by 3% in the country compared to the same period last year.
“There has been a 3% increase in serious accidents with a total of 426 crashes that involve fatalities since December 1, and 512 people have died on our roads which amounts to 3% increase,” she said.
Creecy said it is deeply concerning that 45% of the deaths involved pedestrians.
“We have arrested 98 pedestrians for crossing roads in unsafe places,” she said, urging metro traffic police officers to increase patrols to reduce pedestrian deaths.
The minister said they have also asked municipalities to set up roadblocks to test drivers for alcohol abuse.
Hundreds of people are killed in road accidents every festive season in South Africa, as many people usually drive out of major cities to various holiday destinations, including resort beaches or rural homes for Christmas and year-end parties.
Last year, the country recorded 1,184 fatal crashes on the roads over the festive season.