Budget Insurance has announced a significant decrease in road crash statistics this Easter period – down 27% compared to last year’s Easter holiday season – mirroring what Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, announced earlier this week around government interim insights.
“It is great to see a decrease in road crashes this year, demonstrating that the collective education efforts of government, road traffic organisations and private sector is positively impacting the behaviour of consumers on our roads which is usually a treacherous time,” says Tando Ngibe, Senior Manager at Budget Insurance.
Fatigue can be deadly
Budget data ahead of the Easter holiday period indicated that most crashes occur between 9pm and 10pm, as fatigue and diminished visibility set in, with an unexpected spike at 11am — a time when many travellers are mid-journey or rushing to reach their destinations.
“There is no doubt that the dedication of law enforcement over this period has played an important role in reducing such crashes through improving visibility and clamping down drastically on numerous other traffic infringements – issuing 116k fines and arresting 3 500 drivers for various offences – all of which contribute to the decrease that we have witnessed this year,” continues Ngibe.
However, it is key to note that this downturn could also likely be influenced by reduced travel due to budget constraints. “It is no secret that consumer budgets are tight, with little disposable income available to travel in the first place and so, there were potentially less people on the roads as a result. However, we cant disregard that travel – whether near or far – did happen and the results are comforting,” states Ngibe.
Road safety must remain a priority this weekend
The coming weekend is yet another busy, notoriously dangerous, weekend, with two public holidays next week, and many consumers still heading either to or from holiday.
“Road safety remains a critical priority and with continued law enforcement visibility by authorities and commitment to road safety education locally, we are hoping to see a decrease this weekend again. We implore consumers that are travelling to be vigilant, stay alert and stick to the rules of the road as we work together towards safer roads for all,” concludes Ngibe.
Subscribe to our free newsletter
Stay at the forefront of financial advisory excellence with MoneyMarketing's weekly insights. As a professional adviser, you'll receive carefully curated content that enhances your practice and client relationships without cluttering your inbox. Our commitment to delivering only relevant, actionable intelligence helps you make informed decisions that drive your business forward. Join our community of leading financial professionals today and transform your practice with our complimentary newsletter—because your success is our priority.
