This 2025 Easter Weekend Road Safety Report has recorded the lowest number of crashes and fatalities in the past three years.
The statistics were released today by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy during a media briefing in Pretoria.
“Crashes were reduced from 209 in 2024 to 141 in 2025 which is a 32.5% overall decrease compared to 2024.
All provinces recorded decreases except Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga which both recorded an increase.
Fatalities were reduced from 307 in 2024 to 167 in 2025 which is a 45.6% decrease,” said Creecy.
Furthermore, Creezy expressed concern that Mpumalanga and Eastern Cape provinces recorded high numbers.
“All provinces recorded decreases in fatalities except Mpumalanga which recorded a 27.3% increase compared to 2024.
Twenty-eight fatalities were recorded in Mpumalanga compared to 22 in 2024.
Eastern Cape 28 compared to 29 in 2024, Free state seven compared to 12 in 2024, Gauteng 22 compared to 52 in 2024, KwaZulu Natal 27 compared to 47 in 2024, Limpopo 13 compared to 81 in 2024, Northern Cape six compared to 17 in 2024, North West 14 compared to 21 in 2024, and Western Cape 22 compared to 26 in 2024,” explained Creecy.
The minister said that the decrease can be attributed to the department starting its communication and education campaign earlier than the travel period.
In addition, Creecy said the statistics are a reflective or a broader downward trend in road accidents and accident-related fatalities.
“From January to March, we have seen a 16% decline in the number of fatalities and a 13% decrease in the total number of road accidents.
Crashes decreased in eight provinces except Mpumalanga which recorded the same number of crashes as in the previous year.
Fatalities decreased in seven provinces except the Free State, which had a 5% increase, and Mpumalanga had a 1% increase.
Fatalities involving pedestrians now account for 47% or almost half of all road deaths,” explained Creecy. The Easter campaign, which began on 20 March will end on 4th May because of the four long weekends that characterises this period.
