South Africa recorded 235 deaths on its roads during the Easter holiday, figures released by the transport minister Fikile Mbalula on Thursday showed.

“According to the preliminary figures, 189 crashes were recorded, resulting in 235 fatalities nationwide,” said the minister.

Compared with 2019, “the number of crashes has been reduced by 2.1 per cent while fatalities have been reduced by 9.6 per cent. This is despite the growth in population size and the vehicle population,” he added.

Speaking further, the minister explained, “Our relative success can be attributed to early preparation with education and awareness campaigns in communities, increased visibility of law enforcement officers, stakeholder involvement, and a high-profile media campaign.”

Mr Mbalula cited several factors as contributors to road fatalities.

“The carnage we continue to experience on our roads is influenced by a number of factors mostly embedded in human behaviour, vehicle factors, and environment on road factors,” he noted.

Mr Mbalula stated that it was disturbing that 35 per cent of road victims were pedestrians.

Walking while drunk, crossing freeways, and jaywalking played a role in the killing of pedestrians.

(Xinhua/NAN)