Festive road fatalities down by 10%, but speedsters remain a big problem

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula released the 2019/20 festive season road safety report on Thursday.

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula says the department has met its target to decrease road fatalities by 10% over the festive period.

Mbalula and officials from the Road Traffic Management Corporation addressed the media on the festive season road safety report on Thursday.

According to the minister, the number of fatalities between 1 December and 15 January had decreased from in 1 789 fatalities in 2018/19 to 1 617 fatalities in 2019/2020 festive season.

In addition, fatal crashed were reduced by 3%, reports EWN's Kgomotso Modis.

However, the report still revealed a disturbingly high number of traffic offences over this period, including speeding.

The most fines issued were for speeding at 58,669, followed by driving without a licence with 26,16 fines.

Driving without fastening seatbelt accounted for 25,786 fines and driving unlicensed vehicles at 32,481.

..offenses for which traffic fines were issued were: speeding at 58 669 fines, driving without a licence with 26 516 fines, driving without fastening seatbelt accounted for 25 786 fines, driving unlicensed vehicles at 32 481 and fines for driving cars with worn tyres were 13 311. https://t.co/PnQFxvCw28 pic.twitter.com/ue40njxIkQ

— Minister of Transport |Mr Fix (@MbalulaFikile) January 23, 2020

We are still seeing very disturbing figures that tell of South Africans that don't take the rules of the road very seriously.

Kgomotso Modise, EWN reporter

Listen to the EWN update:

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