The latest statistics by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) revealed that Gauteng has the highest number of youth road fatalities in the country with 1 380 in the past three years.

RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane says 8 547 young people aged between 21 and 34 years died on the roads nationally, the most among them being aged between 30 and 34.

He says Gauteng was experiencing an alarming epidemic of deaths among its youth due to road accidents.

“These alarming statistics serve as a call to young people to prioritise road safety as they engage in Youth Month celebrations.

“Factors that contribute to this included persistent risk-taking behaviour such as not using safety belts, driving at speeds that are too high for the circumstances or under the influence of alcohol,” he said.

RTMC CEO Makhosini Msibi says South Africa faces a crisis on its roads, and most of the victims were the economically active age group that was needed for the development of the country.

“It is saddening to read reports that most people die on the roads because of a failure to use safety belts. In many instances, it has been found that safety belts have been cut off or tied under the seat and thus could not be used to save lives,” he adds.

“We are calling on road users, road safety advocates and law enforcement officials to join forces to reduce the rising death trend of road deaths amongst young people.”

Zwane says the RTMC supported the World Health Organisation’s recommendations that traffic-calming measures be built in areas with high pedestrian traffic to reduce vehicle speed and save lives.