In March 2005, the Department of Transport released the following statistics:

• The number of fatal crashes during 2004 increased by 227, from 10 246 in 2003 to 10 523 in 2004.

• The number of fatalities increased by 361, from 12 348 in 2003 to 12 709 in 2004

• There has been a 15.56% increase in drinking and driving in just one year, from 2003 to 2004.

• The Medical Research Council found that 58% of all drivers and 61% of pedestrians killed tested positive for alcohol.

• In 2004, 1 932 crashes claimed the lives of 2 333 people at a cost to the economy of R1,6 billion.

• Some 30% of motorists are speed offenders. This figure increased by 46% from 2003 to 2004, with 4 183 people dying as a result of speed last year, costing the economy R2,9 billion.

• 91 398 drivers of public and freight transport vehicles had expired permits (or no permits at all).

• About 67.5% of motorists do no wear seatbelts, increasing the risk of serious injury by about 50%.

• In 2004, about 39% of all fatalities occurred as a result of unsafe and illegal overtaking at high speed.

• About 17% of taxis have at least one worn out tyre while 3% had one damaged tyre. A total of 19% of trucks have at least one smooth tyre and 20% one damaged tyre.

Drive Alive feels however, that these figures fall short of the true picture as many crashes remain unreported throughout the country.