Fewer fatalities on Mpumalanga roads - dept
2012-12-28 17:30
Johannesburg - Fewer people died on Mpumalanga roads this
festive season compared to last year, the provincial community safety, security
and liaison department said on Friday.
"Fatalities have been reduced from last year’s 118
to 102 this year," said department spokesperson Joseph Mabuza.
He said there had also been a decrease in the number of
accidents.
"Since the beginning of December 2012, the province
has recorded 426 accidents as compared to 452 in 2011."
The Gert Sibande region had the most accidents with 43
being reported, the Nkangala region was second with 31 and Ehlanzeni followed
with 28.
MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison Vusi
Shongwe said, although they had made progress in reducing road crashes and
fatalities, there was still room for improvement.
He agreed with national Transport Minister Ben Dikobe
Martin’s call for road users to prioritise life over convenience.
"Our road users need to begin valuing life even more
while they are driving. We need to learn to be more tolerant to one another and
stop breaking the law needlessly," he said.
On Thursday, Shongwe joined traffic officials in
conducting a roadblock on the N2 between Piet Retief and Ermelo, where over 330
vehicles were stopped and checked.
A total of 109 fines were issued and 27 unroadworthy cars
were taken off the road. One person was arrested for driving with a fake
licence.
- SAPA
