Festive season safety | Number of road fatalities a dire situation, says OUTA

JOHANNESBURG - So far, 719 deaths have been recorded on the roads since 1 December.

The dire figure was released by Transport Minister Sindiswe Chikunga as the festive season begins.

OUTA says little has changed over the last 13 years.

READ: 719 fatalities on South Africa's roads, authorities concerned

It blames this on a lack of will by political leaders to deal with the scourge.

"We have had about ten transport ministers over the last 13 years and really there is no continuity in the programmes," said Wayne Duvenage.

"It’s a dire situation that needs to be addressed but is not taken seriously by people in positions of authority."