Road deaths cost country R18bn
2003-11-24 22:54
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Yvonne Beyers
Cape Town - About 40 people die on South African roads every day and this costs the country about R18bn every year.
Recent statistics released by the national department of transport indicate an average of 28 fatal accidents take place every day.
Gary Ronald of the Automobile Association said on Monday that carnage was again expected on the roads at the festive season.
"About 15 000 people die in road accidents every year and 1 217 people died in car accidents last December.
"There will be many deaths on the roads again this year;
hopefully campaigns such as Operation Juggernaut and Arrive Alive will influence that number."
Ntau Letebele of Arrive Alive said this campaign hoped to reduce this year's death toll by 5%.
He added that there would be roadblocks on all the major routes this year.
Ronald said 40% to 50% of victims of road accidents were pedestrians and 75% of these had alcohol in their bloodstream.
On average, more than 3.5 motorists skip red traffic lights every hour.
An average of six motorists pass another vehicle across a barrier line every hour.
Less than 40% of motorists wear safety belts.
Each road death costs the country about R420 000, while serious injuries cost about R90 000 each.
Ronald said drunken driving and aggressive driving habits were the biggest causes of road accidents.
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