The number of South Africans who perished on the country’s roads during the festive season rose over 5% year-on-year for the 2024/25 season according to the Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy.
According to statistics released on Monday, 1,502 deaths resulted from 1,234 fatal crashes during this period.
“I want to convey our heartfelt condolences to the families who lost loved ones during this period and our well wishes to all those who are still recuperating in hospitals as well as at home.
“The number of fatalities represents a year-on-year increase of 5.3% (70) compared to the 2023/24 festive season, with a 4.2% (50) increase in the number of crashes,” Minister Creecy lamented.
She described the latest figures as “most regrettable”, saying it reverses the incremental strides made in recent years.
The Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Free State recorded increases of 70, 54 and 21 fatalities as compared to 2023/24, while Gauteng, Western Cape and Mpumalanga recorded decreases of 76, 23 and 15 fatalities respectively.
Creecy said pedestrian fatalities remain a huge concern, with 41% of all road fatalities being pedestrians and “to be precise”, 87% of crashes happened because of human behaviour.
“Indications are that the implementation of 24/7 traffic policing shifts is more critical than ever.
“During the festive season we agreed to release National Traffic Police resources to provinces, to intensify road safety communication and education campaigns and strengthen monitoring of our law enforcement operations especially at night.
“This approach will serve as a blueprint for our road safety activities but will only succeed if it is consistent all year round, especially on weekends and in every province across the country,” Minister Creecy said.
The provincial statistics are as follows:
KwaZulu-Natal 304 fatalities from 247 fatal crashes
Gauteng 235 fatalities from 224 fatal crashes
Eastern Cape 231 fatalities from 168 fatal crashes
Limpopo 180 fatalities from 140 fatal crashes
Mpumalanga 143 fatalities from 118 fatal crashes
Western Cape 140 fatalities from 124 fatal crashes
Free State 106 fatalities from 81 fatal crashes
Northwest 100 fatalities from 87 fatal crashes
Northern Cape 63 fatalities from 45 fatal crashes
