Creecy describes SA’s road fatalities as a ‘national shame’

Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy has described the country’s high number of road fatalities as a “national shame”.

On Thursday, Creecy presented the festive season road report during a media briefing in Pretoria.

During the latest December break, 1,427 people died on the country’s roads.

While this represents a 5% reduction compared to the previous period, the minister said that the number is still too high.

The Department of Transport said it’s been observing a downward trend in its annual statistics for road fatalities and crashes.

However, Creecy said the number of people dying on the country’s roads is still too high, and the loss of life is avoidable.

She said human behaviour and reckless driving are the major contributors to road trauma.

“The number of deaths caused by road accidents is a reason for national shame. All of those who have passed on over the last year – men, women and children – were loved and cherished during their lives and today are sorely missed by their families and friends. Death on our roads is not like old age. There is nothing inevitable or unavoidable about it.”

Creecy said it’s time to look at strengthening the country’s road and driving policies.