Easter road deaths drop!

MZANSI records a major improvement in road safety this Easter season.

Road fatalities decreased by 45,6% compared to the previous year, the lowest Easter toll in three years.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy released the 2025 Easter Road Safety Report in Tshwane, on Tuesday, 29 April, noting that fatalities dropped from 307 in 2024 to 167 in 2025.

"These numbers reflect real progress in our road safety initiatives. Each reduction represents lives saved and families spared from tragedy," she said.

According to the report, the number of crashes also declined sharply from 209 in 2024 to 141 this year, a 32,5% decrease.

Most provinces saw improvements, with Limpopo boasting the most dramatic drop in fatalities down from 81 to just 13. Gauteng also saw significant progress, with deaths falling from 52 to 22.

Only two provinces, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga recorded increases in accidents, with Mpumalanga also being the only region to experience a rise in fatalities, up 27,3% from in 2024.

Creecy attributed the improved outcomes in part to early communication and education efforts.

"These statistics tell us that there's a benefit when we start our campaigns before the travel period," she said, referring to the nationwide road safety campaign launched on 20 March.

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Authorities stopped and inspected 177 584 vehicles, issued 44 505 traffic fines, took 3 554 vehicles off the road, while 2 018 were discontinued and 1 536 vehicles were impounded.

Additionally, 941 drivers were arrested for drunk driving and 89 for excessive speeding.

Extreme violations included a motorist clocked at 214km/h in a 120 km/h zone in Planknek, Limpopo and another in Tsolo, Eastern Cape caught with a blood alcohol content nearly 10 times the legal limit.

Beyond the Easter period, the report reflects a broader positive trend for 2025. From January to March, road deaths declined by 16%, and overall road accidents dropped by 13%.

However, the data also revealed a persistent concern: pedestrians now account for 47% of all road deaths.

"This shocking reality shows our message isn't reaching pedestrians and we must intensify local-level interventions," said Creecy.

The Easter road safety campaign will continue through 4 May, covering a stretch of long weekends typically associated with heightened risks from drunk driving, pedestrian activity and increased traffic volumes.

Despite the progress, Creecy emphasised the need for consistency. "Our challenge is to sustain this achievement daily, weekly and monthly. But we are optimistic about reaching our target of halving road deaths by 2029," added the minister.