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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 – 379 and drivers – 303. The provincial breakdown is as follows: Gauteng province – 231, KwaZulu-Natal – 170, Western Cape – 134, Eastern Cape – 145, Free State – 72, Mpumalanga – 145, North West – 97, Limpopo – 125, Northern Cape – 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)