The average number of road fatalities when Youth Day falls on a weekend is 74. Statistics also revealed that youth in South Africa mainly die from road crashes.
These statistics comes as South Africans commemorates Youth
Day on Sunday, and the Road Accident Fund (RAF) is urging road users to help
reduce the number of devastating road crashes this youth month.
PICTURE: Pixabay‘’During winter, we do find that there are many factors
that contribute to anumber of accident – children are home, playing in the
street; it gets darker quicker, so people do not wear bright clothing so
pedestrian accident increase; This year youth day falls over the weekend, so
abuse of alcohol, and other festivities, contributes to an increase in road
accident,’’ said Siphamandla Gumbi, RAF Senior Manager: Road Safety, who spoke
to Bush Radio’s Morning Cruise programme.
According to Gumbi, from 2020 to 2022, the estimated number
of young people who died on South African roads was 13 963 out of 34 946
fatalities. This translates to an annual average of 4 654 fatalities in the age
group 15 to 34 compared to the total average of 11 649. In the same period, most
young road users that died were pedestrians at 38%, followed by passengers at
35%.
‘’South Africa is largely made up of a youth population;
staying safe on the road is one of the ways of preserving the country’s future.
Some deaths are avoidable by simply adhering to the rules of the road and the
use of restraints such as seat belts and car seats. The deaths of young people
on the road makes about 40% of the total road crash deaths in South Africa. This
is concerning as these are young people who are the future of the country, families
put a lot of investment in starting their career.’’
Done By: Mitchum George
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