The road death toll in South Africa for December 2009 dropped compared with the previous year, according to figures released by the Department of Transport.

Nearly 1,050 people died on the roads between 1 December and 31 December 2009, down from the 1,348 deaths reported during the same period in 2008.

The improvement is a result of heavy traffic law enforcement, according to officials.

Of the total number of people who died on roads, nearly 276 were drivers, 419 passengers and 355 pedestrians.