The department of transport has expressed concern over the high number of people killed on roads across the country since the beginning of the festive season.
Transport Minister Ben Martins says it cannot be considered normal that despite all efforts to enforce road safety, the loss of lives on this scale continues.
Martins says there is a serious and urgent need for a national dialogue about the current state of affairs regarding road fatalities.
A total of 1068 people died in road accidents across the country between the beginning of the month and Christmas Day.
Road Traffic Management Corporation spokesperson, Ashref Ismail, says the death toll is the result of 890 fatal crashes across South Africa from December 1 to December 25.
A total of 2 174 people were arrested for driving-related offences.
More than half of the arrests were for drunken driving.
Earlier, this month the RTMC said it had hoped to see a 25% reduction in road deaths over the festive season.
