×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Bus strike contributes to increased Easter death toll

Fourteen people died when a bus overturned in KZN on Saturday PICTURE: SUPPLIED
Fourteen people died when a bus overturned in KZN on Saturday PICTURE: SUPPLIED

The bus strike in the week of the Easter holiday period contributed to an increase in road fatalities during this period‚ officials said on Friday.

Deputy minister of transport Sindisiwe Chikunga acknowledged that the strike meant that more cars were on the road.

Statistics released by the department showed that the total number of fatalities increased by 51% from 156 over the same period in 2016 to 235 this year.

“Cars and (light delivery vehicles) contributed 69% of all fatalities‚” Chikunga said.

Road Traffic Management Corporation chairman Zola Majavu said that the bus strike had derailed plans to reduce deaths.

“As chair of the RTMC‚ I am disappointed. We had hoped to reduce fatalities by 50%. The inverse is true. There has been an increase of 51%‚” Majavu said.

The statistics also showed that half of those who died in motor accidents were passengers‚ pedestrians accounted for 24.5% of all fatalities‚ followed by drivers at 19.8% and cyclists at 5.7%.

Speeding and jaywalking were among the factors that led to the high death toll.

 

 

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.