Since 01 December 2008 until 23h59 on Monday night 22 December 2008, the Netcare 911 national call centre has dispatched emergency vehicles to 2103 motor vehicle collisions and 353 pedestrian collisions . These are numbers for incidents throughout South Africa.
The combined total for all the regions in SA is 2456 collisions, below are the busiest regions:
1) Gauteng: 903 motor vehicle and 155 pedestrian collisions.
2) Kzn: 492 motor vehicle and 84 pedestrian collisions.
3) Eastern and Western Cape: 175 motor vehicle and 40 pedestrian collisions.
4) Free State: 154 motor vehicle and 20 pedestrian collisions.
These collision scenes ranged from relatively minor to multiple injuries and fatalities on one scene.
This years stats compared to those of 2007:
For the entire month of December 2007, the Netcare 911 national call centre dispatched emergency vehicles to 3096 motor vehicle collisions and 526 pedestrian collisions. These numbers are for incidents throughout South Africa.
Travel advice:
- With the Christmas long weekend just around a few days away, there is still a possibility of major traffic movement on the roads around the country.
- With this in mind we would like to remind all drivers that they are not only responsible for their own safety but also for the safety of all of their passengers, as well as all the motorists and pedestrians around them as they travel. Reckless and irresponsible behaviour of just one driver could result in the injury of any person in their vicinity.
- We encourage all road users to abide by the rules of the road, no speeding, no drinking and driving, no illegal use of cellular telephones and to ensure that all occupants are wearing their safety belts.
- Unroadworthy vehicles have the potential to breakdown at the most inconvenient time.
If you are undertaking a long journey remember these safety tips:
- Rest well and do not drink heavily the night before a long journey,
- driving with your vehicles headlights on during the day makes you more visible to other motorists, pedestrians and animals,
- check your vehicle thoroughly several days before setting out on a journey ( windscreen wipers, tyres, rear lights etc), ensure that your cell phone is charged and that you know the emergency numbers.
- Ensure that your first aid kit is stocked and replace old/damaged latex gloves or expired ointments/medications.
- If you stop at a collision, make sure that you and your family are safe otherwise if you feel that it may be unsafe to stop then report the collision to the emergency services.
- Remember that only trained people should stop and assist at an emergency scene, and never move the injured person unless their life depends on it, for example, they are unconscious in a burning car.
- A good intention of putting a pillow under a victims head may result in serious spinal injuries.
- Please travel safely, avoid road rage and remember that the holiday starts the night before you leave.
Nick Dollman
Media Liaison
NETCARE 911
Emergency No. 082 911
Keep in mind that emergency information is available on your cellular phone on the mobile road safety website at arrivealive.mobi
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