Road accidents during the 2024/25 festive season claimed the lives of 1 502 people which is a 5.3% increase compared to the same period in 2023/24.
This was revealed by the Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy when she presented the festive season stats on Monday, 20 January.
OVER 1500 KILLED IN FESTIVE SEASON ROAD ACCIDENTS
During the briefing, Creecy revealed that the number of fatalities represents a year-on-year increase of 5.3% (70) compared to the 2023/24 festive season, with a 4.2% (50) increase in the number of crashes.
“This is most regrettable, more so because it reverses the incremental strides made in recent years,” Creecy said.
Notably, six provinces recorded increases in the number of fatalities in the 2024/25 festive season compared to 2023/24, namely KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Free State, Limpopo, Northern Cape and North West.
The Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Free State recorded increases of 70, 54 and 21 fatalities as compared to 2023/24 while Gauteng, Western Cape and Mpumalanga recorded decreases of 76, 23 and 15 fatalities respectively.
Creecy commended provincial MECs and traffic authorities in the three provinces whoich recorded a decrease for the fact that their efforts have yielded positive results.
“I also want to commend all MECs and indeed all national and provincial law enforcement agencies and officers, road safety personnel, emergency services and health professionals who worked long hours, sacrificing family time and did their utmost to save lives on South Africa’s roads,” she said.
OVER HALF A MILLION FINES ISSUED
Creecy said law enforcement officers issued 711 184 fines for various traffic offences across the country.
A total of 23 607 fines were issued to drivers who failed to wear seatbelts, while another 16 925 motorists were fined for using cellphones while driving. Then, 16 527 vehicles were found to be unroadworthy
and issued with traffic fines as well as their motor vehicle licence discs removed particularly in areas where vehicles could not be impounded due to lack of impoundment facilities.
In total 8 917 vehicles were impounded in areas where facilities were available.
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