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Cape road deaths down 35%

CAPE TOWN - Road deaths in the Western Cape during February 2013 declined by 35% from the same month in 2012, according to the province's 'Safely Home' campaign.

There were 64 deaths on the province’s roads compared to 99 in February 2012; last month's was also the lowest death toll for any month since January 2008.

DECREASE IN FATALITIES

Western Cape transport MEC Robin Carlisle said: “We are very happy to see the 35% decrease across all classes of fatalities (from 99 to 64) but particularly with the 34% drop in pedestrian deaths (from 44 to 29).

"Pedestrian deaths have come to account for half of the deaths on our province’s roads and are increasingly the focus of our efforts to reduce road deaths.”

Road death toll: February 2012/13
Cyclist - 1/4
Driver  - 19/11
Motor Cyclist  -  6/3
Passenger  -  29/17
Pedestrian -   44/29
Total deaths  -  99/64

Since 2012, 1194 people have died on Western Cape roads, a 31% decrease from the 1739 recorded at the end of 2008.
 
Carlisle said: “This is a commendable achievement by our Safely Home campaign and all our road safety partners. The campaign integrates enforcement, engineering, and education across different spheres of government to make our roads safer.

"We are beginning to see the change in behaviour necessary to end the carnage on our roads, and will continue to leave no stone unturned in exploring measures to deter reckless and irresponsible behaviour. We have now passed the 30% mark and are well on our way to halving road deaths by the end of 2014.”
 
Comparative figures for February 2008 - 2013:
February 2008 - 143
February 2009 - 116
February 2010 - 118
February 2011 - 126
February 2012 - 99
 
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