Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has revealed that preliminary mid-term review figures in the first half of December, show that early road fatalities have declined compared to the same period last year.
Creecy was briefing the media in Cape Town, on the preliminary report of the 365 Days Arrive Alive Road Safety Campaign for the 2025 festive season,
“The number of fatal crashes last year this time is 545 as compared to the 431 we have seen this year.
The fatal crashes took 638 lives last year this time compared to 505 persons this year.
This means we have saved 113 lives through law enforcement, awareness and education and should also mention the person-to-person advice on safer road use, that may have had its own share of success on this project,” said Creecy.
Preliminary report in the first half of December indicates that 66 people were killed in the Western Cape in 55 crashes, Gauteng 105 fatalities in 95 crashes, in KwaZulu Natal it is 88 fatalities in 85 crashes. Eastern Cape recorded 52 fatalities in 45 crashes, Mpumalanga has 69 fatalities in 50 crashes, North West has 34 deaths in 28 crashes, Limpopo has 40 road deaths in 34 crashes and Northern Cape 31 road deaths in twenty 20 crashes, while the Free State recorded 20 deaths from 19 crashes.
Furthermore, the minister highlighted that the average fatalities per day is 32 which is the lowest in five years.
Creecy said that accident with pedestrian, hit and run, single vehicle overturned as well as head-on collisions, are the top four types of crashes that contributed to the high number of fatalities. “However, pedestrians continue to represent a disproportionately large share of the road toll, underscoring the ongoing vulnerability of non-motorised road users. The contribution of pedestrians to fatalities is 44%, passengers contributed 28%, drivers contributed 26%, and cyclists contributed 2%,” explained Creecy.
The minister cautioned that the preliminary figures are a reminder to the country that “danger remains ever present, and the peak travel days of Christmas and New Year are still ahead.”
This as heavy traffic volumes are expected on the roads this weekend leading to Christmas and New Year’s Day.
She also commended law enforcement measures, which she said are having an impact on incident rates, despite fatal crashes occurring at unacceptable levels.
“A total of 168 427 traffic fines were issued while 3 695 unroadworthy vehicles were discontinued, and 2 552 public transport vehicles were impounded for violation of operator permits. Notably, 2 364 drivers were arrested for drunken driving, 236 for driving at excessive speeds, 178 for reckless and negligent driving while 53 pedestrians were arrested for jaywalking on freeways and 26 motorists were arrested for attempting to bribe traffic officers,” remarked the minister.
