Pretoria - Authorities have recorded a significant decrease in the number of road deaths during the festive season, despite greater traffic volumes.
According to statistics released by the Department of Transport on Monday, 937 people died in the accidents reported nationally since the beginning of December.
"Of the 937 people who died from the 733 accidents, 262 were drivers, 366 passengers, and 309 pedestrians," said the department.
This was an improvement on the 1 596 road deaths in the 2007-2008 festive period.
The statistics comes after traffic volumes on some of the country's major roads increased substantially on Sunday as holiday makers were heading back to their homes.
According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation, traffic volumes in the provinces increased by between 3 percent and 10 percent this festive season.
Statistics released on Monday showed that visible traffic policing had improved safety on the roads, the department said.
"The reduced fatality rate is a step in the right direction for the department to reach its 2014 target of cutting road traffic offences by 20 percent per annum."
The target also included reducing pedestrian deaths- currently nearly 50 percent of all road deaths -by 10 percent per annum, as well as improving cyclist road safety.
KwaZulu-Natal had the highest number of fatalities with 181 people killed in road accidents, followed by Limpopo at 167 fatalities, and Gauteng with 136 reported deaths, the statistics revealed.
Only Limpopo recorded a higher toll, with 167 deaths on the roads, 19 more than during the festive period last year.
Gauteng showed an impressive drop in the number of road deaths, from 328 in 2007-2008 to 136 between 1 December and yesterday.
KwaZulu-Natal also showed a decline during this period, from 273 deaths in 2007-2008 to 181. In the Western Cape, the toll dropped from 169 to 74.
In Eastern Cape, there were 104 fewer deaths compared to 2007-2008. The toll this year was 92.
In Mpumalanga, 111 people died, compared with 178 last year. According to provincial Roads and Transport spokesperson, David Nkambule said more than 500 vehicles were impounded in Mpumalanga during the festive season.
He said more than 60 roadblocks were set up across Mpumalanga since the start of the holiday period.
"At the roadblocks, more than 500 summonses were issued and more than 260 motorists were arrested for offences ranging from driving under the influence of alcohol to speeding and negligent driving, driving without drivers' licenses, and producing false documents and information to traffic officers," Mr Nkambule said.
He said the seized vehicles included buses and taxis whose drivers were unable to produce permits or who were driving along the wrong routes.
"Such drivers were issued with fines amounting to R1 500 and their vehicles were impounded until the fine was paid," Mr Nkambule explained.
North West also recorded a decrease, from 114 deaths in 2007-2008 to 70 in the corresponding period in 2008-2009.
