He said more than half (54.3%) of fatal crashes occurred on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday, which suggests that the majority of crashes took place within residential areas long after travellers had reached their destinations.
“There was a notable decline of 4.9% in the number of pedestrians who died on the roads compared to the previous year. However, driver fatalities increased from 24.2% to 26.9%, passenger fatalities increased from 32.2% to 34.5%, while cyclist fatalities stood at one percent,” he said.
Mbalula said the main cause of crashes were jaywalking, hit and runs, speeding, overtaking into oncoming traffic, wet and slippery surfaces and tyre bursts.
He said the ban on alcohol sale and transportation also contributed to the decline in fatalities.