Motorists still not obeying rules: MEC

2012-01-10 17:29

Cape Town - Not enough motorists have made the moral choice to drive sober, obey speed limits and wear their seat belts, Western Cape Transport MEC Robin Carlisle said on Tuesday.

"Of major concern to us is the fact that so many innocent people continue to be killed on our roads - 64 of the 163 people who died on our roads this festive season were passengers," Carlisle said.

He said a further 25 were drivers and 62 were pedestrians. Five cyclists and seven motorcyclists made up the remainder of fatalities.

"Of course, in the same way that not all drivers can be considered perpetrators, so were many pedestrians killed while crossing freeways and other roads illegally."

The department said there had been a 12% drop in fatalities on the previous festive season’s figures.

"Accolades for this must go to our devoted law enforcement officers and the increasing number of motorists that are taking the moral decision to drive safely," Carlisle said.

"Although a more comprehensive analysis of the statistics is needed, the fact that there has been a significant increase in especially domestic visitors to Cape Town and the Southern Cape this festive season, tells us that the authorities and motorists and are managing to bring fatalities down despite increased traffic volumes."

A total of 1 324 people died on Western Cape roads in 2011, compared to 1 487 in 2010, a reduction of 11%.

- SAPA