There was a 3.6% reduction in the number of people seriously injured in road accidents last year while the number of fatalities fell 12%, transport minister Melanie Schultz told parliament.

In 2013, 18,800 people were seriously injured in car crashes, compared with 19,500 in 2012. In total, 570 people died on the roads last year.

Schultz said the drop comes on top of an improved police registration system.

She wants to see traffic accident injuries cut to 10,600 by 2020 and the number of deaths to 500. This will involve extra measures to stimulate safety which the minister said she will present to parliament next year.