Turning tide on road deaths

CAMPAIGN: FALL IN CRASH FATALITIES HEARTENING BUT NOT ENOUGH

- KEDIBONE DIALE-TLABELA

MAKING THE DIFFERENCE. Joburg metro police at Chris Hani Baragwanath taxi rank during the Christmas holidays road safety blitz. The campaign focuses on reducing road traffic accidents and other challenges over the festive season. Picture: Gallo Images

(Gallo Images)

For once, Gauteng's festive season roads are telling a different story: fewer deaths, more hope.

Preliminary data collected between 1 and 28 December shows Gauteng is turning the tide on road fatalities though the battle is far from won.

Statistics from this period reveal a 5.2% decrease in road accident deaths compared with the same time last year.

Nationally, Gauteng is one of only three provinces recording a fall in fatalities this season.

Yet the numbers tell a sobering story. Just last week, a 12% decrease was reported.

That changed dramatically after a devastating weekend on 27 December. In a single crash on the N1 under the Wallmansthal Road Bridge five people two women and three children - lost their lives.

That same night, three women attempting to cross the N1, near Randfontein, were struck by a vehicle. Two died instantly.

These tragedies remind us that behind every statistic is a shattered family. Progress cannot mean complacency.

This progress didn't happen by accident. It is as a direct result of our "It Starts With You" campaign, which places personal responsibility at the heart of road safety.