Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has warned that South Africa still has a long way to go in tackling road fatalities after the country recorded a rise in deaths over the recent festive season.
Releasing the annual festive season road safety report on Monday, Creecy revealed that 1,502 people lost their lives in 1,234 fatal crashes during the period. This marks a 5.3% increase in fatalities compared to the 2023/24 season, alongside a 4.2% rise in fatal crashes.
Six provinces saw an increase in road deaths, including KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, the Free State, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, and the North West. The Eastern Cape recorded the highest jump, with 70 more fatalities than the previous year, followed by KwaZulu-Natal (54) and the Free State (21). In contrast, Gauteng, the Western Cape, and Mpumalanga saw declines of 76, 23, and 15 fatalities, respectively.
Major crashes were a significant contributor to the overall toll, with 18 major accidents claiming 134 lives. More than half of these involved minibuses.
Creecy also raised concerns over pedestrian fatalities, which accounted for 41% of all road deaths. Urban areas saw the highest rates, with Gauteng recording the most pedestrian fatalities at 63.84%, followed by the Western Cape (53.9%) and KwaZulu-Natal (44.33%).
As authorities continue efforts to improve road safety, Creecy emphasized the need for stronger enforcement and public awareness to curb the rising death toll.