The Department of Transport has noted with concern the rise in pedestrian deaths over the 2021 Easter weekend, with 35 percent of people who died on the road reported to be pedestrians.
Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula took to Twitter on Thursday, 8 April 2021, to share key takeaways from his address on the road fatalities from this year’s Easter weekend. Overall, the address was positive, as it marked a decline in road fatalities compared to 2019. Last year was not accounted for as the country was at the height of the lockdown and leisurely travel was prohibited. According to the minister, there were a total of 253 fatalities nationwide on the roads during the Easter weekend.
While the numbers marked a decline compared to 2019, a matter of concern was the increase in the deaths of pedestrians this year. The minister noted that 35 percent of the road fatalities were pedestrian deaths, marking a 5 percent increase from the 30 percent reported in 2019.
The minister stated, “It is, however, concerning to note that the number of pedestrians who died on the roads this year was higher compared to 2019. Pedestrian fatalities increased by five percent from 30 percent to 35 percent compared to 2019. We have observed that about six percent of pedestrian fatal crashes occurred.”
See the post below.
One of the major disturbing elements emerging from the information gathered thus far is the vulnerability of pedestrians and passengers. 35% of people who died on the roads are pedestrians.
Their vulnerability manifests itself in the following ways: pic.twitter.com/18JT31VZX3
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) April 8, 2021
Sabelo Makhubo
s.makhubo@politicalanalysis.co.za
