The Department of Transport Safety and Liaison is concerned over the high rate of pedestrians who have lost their lives in road accidents since the launch of the Arrive Alive Road Safety Safer Festive Season Campaign for 2024/’25
The Department of Transport Safety and Liaison is concerned over the high rate of pedestrians who have lost their lives in road accidents since the launch of the Arrive Alive Road Safety Safer Festive Season Campaign for 2024/’25.
The Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy indicated on Friday that according to statistics, over 250 pedestrians had lost their lives in road accidents across the country since December 1.
Head of communications at the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison Rennie Andrias stated that a number of fatal crashes were also reported in the Northern Cape since the beginning of December.
“Of utmost concern is the high number of pedestrians who have lost their lives at the mid-point of our campaign. We want to make a clarion call to all road users, especially motorists, to be on the look-out for pedestrians. All pedestrians are encouraged to wear bright clothing to increase visibility.”
He added that road crashes over the festive season typically occurred most frequently between Thursday and Saturday from 9pm until 4am.
“Men have made up the majority of fatalities thus far. Human behaviour and driver attitude still remains a major factor that led to crashes on our roads.”
Andrias said a significant increase in traffic was expected from Friday 20 December.
“We call on all road users, please obey the rules of the road, be patient when using our roads, please don’t drink and drive, be on the lookout for pedestrians and stray animals and buckle up.
“We would like to express our gratitude to all responsible drivers that used our roads during this period and have obeyed all rules on our roads. Encouraging responsible driving was part of our road safety education campaign.”
He added that law enforcement officers and stakeholders would be on the roads to reduce fatalities and accidents.
“As always with a zero-tolerance approach to lawlessness. Our road safety education unit will be out to continue with much needed road safety educations targeting pedestrians, passenger vehicles and drivers. Equally our road traffic law enforcement officers will be out in full force to implement the law without fear or favour.”
Andrias extended his gratitude to all road traffic law enforcement officers and members of the South African Police Service who were on duty over the festive season to ensure that the roads were safe.
