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Holiday road deaths: 143 killed on W Cape roads

Cape Town - The busy holiday period saw 143 people killed, including 55 pedestrians, on Western Cape roads during December 2015.

In December 2015, Wheels24 reported that during the first 14 days of the 2015/16 festive season, 58 people were killed.

In total, 143 people lost their lives on Western Cape roads in December, an increase of 18% compared to the 121 deaths recorded in December 2014.

Passenger deaths on the rise

Donald Grant, Western Cape MEC of transport and public Works, said: "The most concerning increase has been in the number of passenger deaths (up 40% from 35 in 2014, to 49 in 2015), with a large number of vehicle occupants perishing in some horrific head-on collisions resulting from fatigue, lack of seat belt compliance, and reckless and irresponsible driving."

Western Cape road deaths (Dec 1 to 31 2015):
1 Cyclist - 1
2 Driver - 28
3 Motorcyclist - 10
4 Other - 4
5 Passenger - 49
6 Pedestrian- 51
Total: 143

READ: Why is Govt 'silent' on SA holiday road deaths?

Freeway hotspots for pedestrian incidents in the Western Cape:
  • N1 from Brackenfell to Joostenberg Vlakte,
  • N2 from Cape Town International Airport to Spine Rd,
  • N7 adjacent to Du Noon,
  • Vanguard Drive from Masemola Rd to the R300,
  • R300 from Vanguard Drive to the N2.

What are the main killers on our roads?

Grant said: "Our enforcement efforts continue to be targeted at the main killers on our roads; speeding, alcohol and road use, distracted driving and fatigue.

What is the province doing to curb road deaths?

Grant said: "Our Provincial Traffic Officers will continue to stop thousands of vehicles during various operations across the province to inspect their safety, discontinue those that are not fit to be on our roads, arrest motorists who break the law by driving while over the legal alcohol limit or at excessively high speeds, and issue fines for various offences that threaten the safety of others.

"With the festive season at its halfway point, and the rest of January to follow, we will continue with our on-going enforcement efforts and campaigns to make our roads safer as we move into the New Year. January will see many holiday makers making their way back home along the Cape’s major roads."

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