Zinhle Mapumulo

Zinhle Mapumulo

This year's Easter death toll is 19 more than last year.

According to figures released by Road Traffic Management Corporation yesterday, the total number killed in road accidents country wide was 276, compared to 257 last year.

Spokesman Thabo Tsholetsane said the major contributory factors to most of the accidents were high speed, fatigue, pedestrians jaywalking and alcohol abuse.

"Several accidents which involved head-on collisions resulted from barrier line infringements.

"We have repeated our call to traffic officials around the country to show no mercy when it comes to the violation of barrier lines. Offenders won't be fined, but arrested immediately," he said.

Of the deaths reported, 93 were pedestrians, 68 drivers and 115 passengers from 215 reported fatal crashes.

Gauteng had the highest number of fatalities at 52. KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo had 41 each, followed by Mpumalanga at 34 and Free State at 31.

The Western Cape reported 27 fatalities while North West reported 23 and Eastern Cape 22. The Northern Cape is the only province that reported less than 10 deaths.

Tsholetsane saidhigher than average Easter traffic volumes were experienced on all key arterial routes during the holidays.

The wearing of seat belts by occupants in front had improved, but not enough rear seat passengers wore their seat belts.