31 December 2007
New Year celebrations are associated with huge consumption of alcohol
resulting in reckless behaviour on our roads. Many people sleep late at night
or in the early hours of the morning, often putting a strain on their bodies
conditioned to sleeping at those awkward times. South Africa has one of the
highest levels of alcohol consumption per drinker in the world.
It has been estimated that the per capita consumption of alcohol in South
Africa is between 10,3 and 12,4 litres, with the higher level reflecting the
amount including homebrewed alcohol. The Department of Transport's Arrive Alive
is more concerned with safety of road users especially pedestrians and
motorists. This is so because many drink in an irresponsible way. Some drink
first thing in the morning, drink to intoxication or drink apart from
meals.
Road users are warned that this is a hazardous pattern of drinking. Traffic
authorities will be out in full force to deal with any eventuality especially
drinking and driving which carries a fine of R120 000 or a six years jail
sentence. Drivers also face possibility of having their drivers licence
suspended. Drinking and driving is just not worth it. If you have had one too
many, sleep over or rest until you have sobered up.
The death toll on our roads has increased to 1 142 from 930 crashes with 209
crashes still being followed up with the South African Police Service
(SAPS).
The fatalities are down as compared to last year same time which was 1 440.
Road users should not be lulled into a false of invincibility, as they too can
be victims if they don't obey traffic rules.
Fatalities per road user group, is as follows: pedestrians - 460, passengers
â 379 and drivers â 303. The provincial breakdown is as follows: Gauteng
province â 231, KwaZulu-Natal â 170, Western Cape â 134, Eastern Cape â 145,
Free State â 72, Mpumalanga â 145, North West â 97, Limpopo â 125, Northern
Cape â 23.
Media contact:
Collen Msibi
Cell: 082 414 5279
Ntau Letebele
Cell: 082 923 9194
Ms Thandi Moya
Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC)
Cell: 076 751 0905
Issued by: Department of Transport
31 December 2007
Source: Department of Transport (http://www.dot.gov.za)
