Durban - The number of deaths on KwaZulu-Natal's roads decreased during the past festive season by 18 percent when compared to the same period in 2007.
According to the MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Bheki Cele, 290 people were killed in road crashes as compared to 353 fatalities during the 2007/08 period.
The number of driver fatalities also decreased. A total of 54 driver deaths were reported during the 2008/09 period when compared to 2007/08 when there were 70 fatalities. The number of passenger fatalities was recorded at 117, which is 57 less than the previous year.
The number of fatal pedestrian accidents also decreased from 171 pedestrians in 2007 to 119 fatalities in 2008.
Officially releasing the accident statistics for the festive season in Durban on Monday, the MEC said the decrease could be attributed to a number of strategies which were implemented throughout the period as well as ensuring that their 100 percent compliance policy was implemented.
"We have noted recent trends in the decrease of road crashes and fatalities as compared to previous years and we are resolute in our attempts of strengthening our road safety campaigns and maximising our law enforcement operations in fighting the challenge of road deaths," said MEC Cele.
The department of transport dedicated last year to decreasing pedestrian fatalities and Mr Cele said therefore the figures reflected a major success for the province.
"As citizens we need to work as a collative primarily to support each other in a way that can be beneficial hence road safety is everybody's responsibility. Working together, we can do more to reduce road fatalities in all seasons in our province, 365 days a year," said MEC Cele.
During the same period, police stopped and searched 46 407 vehicles. A total of 181 additional traffic officers were on hand to conduct random breathalyser tests and speed timing exercises.
