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Same old story

More than a thousand people died on South Africa's roads during the festive season.

More than a thousand people died on South Africa's roads during the festive season.

The number is slightly less than the fatalities recorded for the same period last year, according to the Department of Transport.

A total 1366 people died in 1168 crashes in December - 88 less than the previous year.

Most of the victims last month were pedestrians: 547 of them were killed. The fatalities among motorists were 454 passengers and 365 drivers.

KwaZulu-Natal registered 299 deaths and was followed by Gauteng with 265, Mpumalanga with 129 and Western Cape with 121.

Of great concern is that the accidents were caused by the same old factors - drunken driving, speed, illegal overtaking, damaged tyres and defective lights.

The traffic authorities need the support of motorists, who must heed their warnings and help stop the carnage.

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