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South Africa is a making painfully slow progress in bringing down the death toll on roads during the festive season.
A reduction of just 25 fatalities was recorded in the month of December last year compared to the same period in the previous year, according to Transport Minister Dipuo Peters.
This means that road accidents claimed the lives of about 38 people a day on average.
"In the period, 01 December 2014 to 30 December 2014, we have registered 924 fatal crashes with 1 143 fatalities whilst last year during the same period under review we registered 974 fatal crashes with 1 168 fatalities," she said in a statement on Monday.
The province with the most fatal accidents was KwaZulu-Natal with 249 deaths from 211 crashes.
Gauteng recorded 174 deaths from 156 fatal crashes, while the Eastern Cape had 161 deaths from 129 fatal crashes.
Peters expressed concern for drivers who are fatigued, those who drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs, undocumented drivers and un-roadworthy vehicles.
All road users must ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy, that they take regular breaks and adhere to the speed limit and buckle-up, urged Peters.
She also called on pedestrians to exercise caution.
"Pedestrians must ensure that they must not cross the road when it is not safe to do so, they must not drink and drive, they must not drink and walk".
Peters also warned that anyone found in breach of traffic laws will arrested and fined and appealed to those who are still on holiday to use roads responsibly.
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