Heavy vehicles fared poorly in terms of safety over the festive season, recording an increase in fatal crashes according to statistics released by transport minister Fikile Mbalula.
“Heavy vehicles, with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) greater 3500kg, were involved in 5.2% of fatal crashes compared to 3.7% last year.
“Articulated trucks were involved in 4.7% compared to 4.9% previously,” he said.
“Overall, we recorded a total of 1 448 fatalities from 1 210 fatal crashes. This represents a 7% decline in fatalities and 10.3% decline in fatal crashes, year-on-year.”
The road traffic campaign had been a particular challenge due to the high number of Covid-19 infections among traffic officers, he added.
Traffic volumes declined from 1 556 704 in 2019 to 1 419 782 this year.
“The N3 was the busiest route with an increase in traffic volumes from 951 833 in the previous period to 987 596. There was a significant decline in traffic volumes on the N4, with 110 676 vehicles recorded as opposed to 208 883 recorded last year,” the minister said.
The breakdown of fatalities per province is as follows:
• Western Cape recorded a decline of 15.9%, with 132 fatalities compared to 157 in 2019/2020.
• KwaZulu Natal recorded a decline of 14%, with 289 fatalities compared to 336 in 2019/20.
• Limpopo recorded a decline of 8.3% with 188 fatalities compared to 205 in 2019/2020.
• Northern Cape recorded a decline of 7.7%, with 36 fatalities compared to 39 in 2019/2020.
• Gauteng recorded a decline of 7.2%, with 231 fatalities compared to 249 in 2019/20.
• North West recorded a decline of 2.0%, with 99 fatalities compared to 101 in 2019/2020.
• Eastern Cape recorded a decline of 1.3%, with 228 fatalities compared to 231 in 2019/20.
• Free State recoded a decline of 0.9%, with 107 fatalities compared to 108 in 2019/20.
• Mpumalanga recorded an increase of 4.4%, with 141 fatalities compared to 135 in 2019/2020.
