MORE than 20 people were killed and 75 injured on South African roads over the weekend.
About 40percent of the deaths occurred in Eastern Cape where eight people were killed and 17 others injured after a construction truck veered into a gravel road and overturned.
Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele yesterday conveyed his condolences to the families.
"Our condolences go to the families of those killed in the crash and we wish those injured a speedy recovery. The Road Traffic Management Corporation has dispatched an independent team of accident investigation and reconstruction specialists to assist in the investigation of this crash and, through the Road Accident Fund, we shall also assist with providing necessary assistance to the affected families," he said.
Accident rates on South African roads are among the highest in the world. Last year more than 10800 people were killed in road accidents and the number had been similar the previous years.
Ndebele expressed concern about the increasing number of fatalities on the roads early this year. He promised that his department would do all in its power to reduce fatalities by 50percent by 2015.
Sam Monareng, department spokesperson, said: "In an effort to stop the carnage on our roads, the department is establishing road safety councils in communities and these are playing an active role in local road safety issues. The department calls on motorists and road users to exercise extreme caution at all times and to obey all the rules of the road.
"Through the road safety strategy the department is intensifying road safety programmes through various initiatives including road safety education and traffic law enforcement in conjunction with provinces and municipalities," he said.
According to the World Health Organisation road accidents claim the lives of 1000 youths daily worldwide.
20 killed, 75 injured in road accidents over the weekend
MORE than 20 people were killed and 75 injured on South African roads over the weekend.
About 40percent of the deaths occurred in Eastern Cape where eight people were killed and 17 others injured after a construction truck veered into a gravel road and overturned.
Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele yesterday conveyed his condolences to the families.
"Our condolences go to the families of those killed in the crash and we wish those injured a speedy recovery. The Road Traffic Management Corporation has dispatched an independent team of accident investigation and reconstruction specialists to assist in the investigation of this crash and, through the Road Accident Fund, we shall also assist with providing necessary assistance to the affected families," he said.
Accident rates on South African roads are among the highest in the world. Last year more than 10800 people were killed in road accidents and the number had been similar the previous years.
Ndebele expressed concern about the increasing number of fatalities on the roads early this year. He promised that his department would do all in its power to reduce fatalities by 50percent by 2015.
Sam Monareng, department spokesperson, said: "In an effort to stop the carnage on our roads, the department is establishing road safety councils in communities and these are playing an active role in local road safety issues. The department calls on motorists and road users to exercise extreme caution at all times and to obey all the rules of the road.
"Through the road safety strategy the department is intensifying road safety programmes through various initiatives including road safety education and traffic law enforcement in conjunction with provinces and municipalities," he said.
According to the World Health Organisation road accidents claim the lives of 1000 youths daily worldwide.
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