Johannesburg - Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele had applauded South African motorists for their "good behaviour" during the Easter weekend, which resulted in a lowered death toll.
The minister encouraged all road users to continue adhering to road regulations.
The Easter weekend holiday period is notorious for a high number of accidents and fatalities as tens of thousands of people make their way to holiday destinations and members of the ZCC Church embark on their annual pilgrimage to Moria.
However, according to preliminary reports from the department, 181 people died on the country's roads during the 2012 Easter weekend period - down from last year's figure of 296.
"We would like to compliment all road users who adhered to the rules of the road, as well as all our law enforcement officers and emergency services personnel who went beyond the call of duty. Keep up the good work," he said on Wednesday, adding that while the statistics were positive, much still remained to be done.
During the weekend, 56 roadblocks were held and 905 motorists were arrested - 562 for drinking and driving, 226 for reckless and negligent driving and 117 for other offences. About 355 unroadworthy vehicles were taken off the road and 249 public transport vehicles were impounded.
Provincially, there were 30 fatal accidents in KwaZulu-Natal, 23 in Gauteng, 32 in Limpopo, 25 in Mpumalanga, 19 in the North West, 15 in the Free State, 20 in the Eastern Cape, 13 in the Western Cape and four in the Northern Cape.
A major contributing factor to accidents includes speeding, dangerous overtaking, fatigue, drinking and driving and tyre problems.
Ndebele said road deaths and injuries not only caused enormous pain and suffering to the victims and their families, but also cost the economy billions of rands each year.
In a bid to reduce road fatalities, Ndebele has instructed that a minimum of 10 000 motorists be screened for alcohol every month to prevent more road fatalities.
Ndebele, who was speaking at the launch of Think Pedestrian campaign aimed at creating intensive awareness and educating pedestrians and drivers about road safety, said in spite of government's efforts, road safety continued to be a challenge as pedestrians and motorists continue to die every day.
Pedestrians alone account for nearly 40 percent of road fatalities annually.
The Think Pedestrian campaign will first be implemented in Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and in the Eastern Cape in support of Nelson Mandela Day.
The initiative between the Department of Transport and Egstra is part of the United Nations' Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020
