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Carlisle: WCape road deaths drop

The Western Cape has recorded 100 road deaths in December 2013 compared to 153 during the same period in 2012, reports transport and public works MEC Robin Carlisle.

Every fatality category is down with the exception of motorcycles.

'IT'S REALLY HEART-WARMING'

Carlisle said: “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 cooperation, we will not see the results and the progress we are seeing, it's really heart-warming.”
 
Western Cape road deaths - December 2013: (2012 figures in bracket)
Driver 20 (27)
Passenger 26 (59)
Motorcyclists and pillion 7 (6)
Cyclist 1 (5)
Pedestrian 46 (55)

Carlisle said: "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 Western Cape drivers 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. 

“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.

Safely Home Initiatives 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
 
The department hopes to reduce road fatalities by 50% by the end of 2014 (calculated from 2009).
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