A total of 845 fatalities have been recorded on South African roads since 1 December till 19 December, says Transport Minister Dipuo Peters. She said the number of fatalities has increased by 17 per cent compared to the same period in the previous year.

“There are 684 fatal crashes recorded since 1 to 19 December 2016. Nationally, there is an increase of 16 per cent in comparison to the same period in the previous year,” Minister Peters said.

The accidents on the road have been attributed to the inclement weather, in particular wet surfaces, human and vehicle contributing factors.

The provinces that recorded an increase in crashes include KwaZulu-Natal with an increase of 32, while Limpopo increased by 28 and the North West by nine.

Human factors which cause accidents include pedestrian jaywalking at 30.7 per cent, while speed accounted for 15.2 per cent, hit and run accounted for 10.2 per cent and overtaking facing oncoming vehicles was at 7.6 per cent.

Minister Peters encouraged motorists to be responsible on the roads.

“These are really trying times. We need everyone to accept that roads are shared spaces and that road safety is everyone’s responsibility,” Minister Peters said.