Easter road deaths drop by nearly half, as traffic fines surge

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On 20 March 2025, the Department of Transport launched the Easter road safety campaign with civil society organisations. The campaign involved education efforts supported by civil society, religious leaders, and transport operators.

Speaking at the official release of the 2025 Easter Road Safety Report on 29 April, the Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, stated the department had critical routes and visible patrols on those routes. Consequently, when the Easter peak travel period came, they were well prepared.

Overall crashes and fatalities reduced

This year saw the lowest number of crashes and fatalities in three years, according to the Department of Transport. Progress highlights:

Crashes reduced from 209 in 2024 to 141 in 2025, This marks a 32.5% decline compared to 2024.
All provinces record decreases except Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga, which both record an increase.
Fatalities reduced from 307 in 2024 to 167 in 2025, This marks a 45.6% decline compared to 2024.
All provinces record decreases in fatalities except Mpumalanga, with a 27.3 percent increase compared to 2024.
Twenty-eight fatalities were recorded by Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) in Mpumalanga, compared to 22 in 2024.

This year’s Easter weekend road safety statistics mark a historic low in fatalities over the past three years.

Progress by law enforcement

The highlights of the law enforcement performance during the Easter period (17 to 21 April) are as follows:

177 584 vehicles were stopped and checked.
44 505 traffic fines issued.
2 018 vehicles discontinued.
1 536 vehicles impounded.
941 drivers arrested for drunken driving.
89 drivers arrested for excessive speeding.
12 pedestrians arrested for jaywalking.
8 drunk drivers arrested for attempting to bribe officers.

Transport minister highlighted contributing factors

Three factors are responsible for the overall decline in accidents and fatalities:

Regular and extensive law enforcement activities in each of the nine provinces.
Coordinated efforts by local, provincial, and national government representatives.
Through their campaign, important collaborations between the government and civil society produced important messaging that had a positive effect on behaviour among drivers.

Moving forward: A safer road ahead

As the 2025 Easter weekend road safety statistics show a promising decline in crashes and fatalities, it’s clear that collective efforts are yielding positive results. However, there’s still work to be done.

By continuing to prioritise road safety, enforcing traffic laws, and promoting responsible driving habits, we can strive towards a future where our roads are safer for everyone.