As holiday-makers started to make their way back home this week, the road death toll increased dramatically, and seemed likely to be well over 1 000 by the weekend.

In a statement issued on Monday, Transport minister Dullah Omar urged motorists to travel during the day, as the chances of accidents were higher at night. He added that bad weather conditions could also play a negative role.

"We are setting up road blocks throughout the country to monitor holiday-makers as they travel back home. There will be delays at these road blocks and also at toll gates, so motorists should leave early, in order to reach their destinations before dark", he explained.

Statistics released by officials showed that more than 800 people had died in road accidents throughout the country during the month of December. Gauteng (148), Mpumalanga (146) and KwaZulu/Natal (133), the provinces carrying the heaviest traffic, headed up the list. The total rocketed to 980 during the first week of January.

By Wednesday this week, just over 30 deaths had been recorded in the Northern Province. Although this was the lowest figure in the country, the incidents reported were among the most tragic.

There was particular concern about the number of pedestrians killed in the province. Road safety officials have again warned motorists travelling in the region to be on the lookout for pedestrians.