Johannesburg  - The number of road fatalities in South Africa has fallen by nearly half to 774 since the start of the month compared to the same period last year, transport authorities said Monday.

"Seven hundred and seventy four people have died from 596 reported crashes on our roads," Transport Department spokesman Collen Msibi was quoted as saying in a report by the South African Press Association (SAPA).

Authorities attributed the decrease to tougher enforcement and a stronger traffic police presence over the festive season. Last year, 1,474 people died on the country's roads.

The eastern KwaZulu-Natal Province recorded 144 fatalities, the highest countrywide.

Officials said speeding, failure to heed traffic laws and tired drivers caused most of the accidents. (dpa)