ROAD safety, especially on holidays, remains one of South Africa’s biggest challenges.
And the cause of accidents during this time is due to increased traffic volumes, alcohol consumption, fatigue and adverse weather.
More than 11 000 people lost their lives on South Africa’s roads in 2024 alone with 1 502 fatalities recorded during the December festive season.
In an effort to try and curb this as we close up to the busiest Easter Holidays, the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa embarked on the Road Safety Campaign in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape this past weekend.
The minister said they took the campaign to the Eastern Cape because it is, together with Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, the Western Cape and Limpopo, the area that accounts for more than 76 % of road accidents and deaths.
She said 80% of all accidents in the country are caused by human error and this includes speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and texting while driving.
“There are also other things which are a contributing factor such as the usage of cellphones behind the steering wheel, particularly for content creation,” she said.
She added that they are ready for the Easter holidays, and they have operational centres across the country.
They have collaborated with law enforcement agencies to arrange operations to monitor traffic flows to ensure safety on the roads.
Deputy Minister Hlengwa said drinking and driving remains a major concern, particularly between 7pm and 1am.
He said drinking and driving pose a significant risk, especially around those hours when drivers are often tired or still recovering from parties.
He added that pedestrians walking in unauthorised areas at night also disrupt traffic flow and increase the risk of road accidents.
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