Over a thousand traffic accidents occurred on South African holidays

A few days ago, Dipuo Peters, the South African Minister of Transport, announced the preliminary statistical results of traffic accidents and casualties during the 2014/15 Christmas period. Statistics show that a total of 1368 people died in 1118 traffic accidents. Peters also mentioned that 1376 people died in 1147 traffic accidents in the same period of 2013/14. Compared with the death toll of 0.6%, the number of traffic accidents decreased by 2.5%.

Although the number has declined, this transportation sector has not been pleased. Peters said that if people obey the traffic rules, then these casualties can be completely avoided. She also stated that according to statistics, the transportation department needs to take appropriate actions. The department is expected to halve the number of traffic deaths in 2010 by 2020.

She called for drivers to drive carefully and avoid violations of traffic regulations such as drunk driving, texting while driving and so on. At the same time, she also mentioned that driving drivers should respect the lives of others.

Peters also expressed his condolences to the family members who died or were injured in traffic accidents on behalf of the South African Ministry of Transport and wished the injured a quick recovery.

Preliminary statistics

According to statistics, of the total death toll, passengers accounted for 39%, pedestrians accounted for 36%, drivers accounted for 24%, and cyclists accounted for 1%.

According to the male-female ratio, male deaths account for 75% of the total, female deaths account for 22%, and 3% are of unknown gender.

According to the age ratio, of the total deaths, drivers aged 25-29 years accounted for 12%, 30-34 years accounted for 13%, and 35-39 accounted for 9%. The number of deaths of passengers and pedestrians is the same, accounting for 21% of the total number, among which the deceased aged 20 to 24 accounted for 6%, 25-29 years old accounted for 8%, and 30-34 accounted for 7%.