On December 19, 2024, National Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy and Western Cape’s Provincial Minister of Mobility Isaac Sileku unveiled troubling mid-season statistics concerning South Africa’s festive season road safety campaign. Conducted through integrated law enforcement operations, these statistics highlight alarmingly high numbers of fatal crashes and fatalities across the nation as traffic volumes are anticipated to peak over the coming days.
The statistics reveal a disconcerting increase from the previous year. From December 2 to December 15, 2024, there were 439 fatal crashes leading to 512 deaths, marking increases of 3.1% and 2.6%, respectively. Pedestrians remain the most vulnerable group, accounting for 45.6% of these fatalities. Following them are passengers, drivers, and cyclists. Specifically, in the Western Cape alone, 56 fatal crashes resulted in 62 deaths during this same two-week span.
Minister Creecy expressed her outrage over the sobering statistics, emphasizing, "in spite of all the efforts we have made to heighten law enforcement through the effective co-ordination of law enforcement operations by the Road Traffic Management Corporation, we still have seen a significant increase in fatal road traffic crashes so far this festive season.”
Her words echoed the concerns voiced by Minister Sileku, who stated, "The statistics are a stark reminder of the consequences of reckless and negligent road behaviour. [...] Together, we can [...] everyone arrives safely at their destinations.” Both ministers underscored the urgent need for heightened vigilance as the festive season continues.
The Department of Transport has responded to this worrying trend by deploying 85 National Traffic Police Officers to bolster local enforcement efforts. Over the past two weeks, law enforcement actions have included the arrest of 941 drivers for drunk driving and 230 for excessive speeding, alongside executing 1,017 warrants for unpaid traffic fines.
Beyond the immediate statistics, another concerning trend has emerged this festive season. A December 2024 holiday drive trends report from Discovery Insure indicates drivers are now 26% more likely to exceed speed limits during the holiday season. The report compiled data from over 12,000 trips taken by Vitality Drive members, analyzing trends between December 2021 and January 2023.
Discovery Insure CEO Robert Attwell explained the motivations behind increased speeding. He articulated, "Our clients drive at an average speed of about 100km/h, factoring in traffic, toll roads, and city driving. Speeding typically saves just two to four minutes per hour of travel, depending on traffic, but significantly increases the risk of accidents.” He urged South Africans to prioritize safety over minimal time savings, underscoring the folly of reckless driving.
Additional insights from the report reveal the popular Johannesburg to Durban route, which accounts for more than half of December’s trips to the coastal city. Travelers are advised to avoid driving back to Johannesburg on January 2, which is statistically the worst day for travel due to heavy traffic congestion. Taking the road after January 6 will show half as many cars on the road, providing respite from the holiday rush.
Curiously, nearly one-third of road trips begin between 4 AM and 7 AM, with few opting for notoriously busy times such as 7 AM to 8 AM or after 11 AM when the roads become calmer. These trends highlight how many choose to brave the roads during more favorable hours.
The report also highlights the alarming tendency of drivers skipping necessary rest breaks on lengthy drives. It found 7% of drivers on the Johannesburg to Durban route completed their journeys without stopping. This behavior resulted in a staggering 36% increase in aggressive driving during the latter parts of their trips, raising the likelihood of accidents significantly.
Awareness around these trends is increasingly pressing, especially considering last year’s staggering total of 1,184 fatal crashes recorded during the festive season. Most of these accidents peaked during the first week of December, the third week, and the final week leading to January, with the majority occurring between 7 PM and 10 PM. Sundays have also revealed the highest number of fatalities during this period.
Minister Sileku concluded the morning’s discussions by urging all road users to exercise caution, “Let us all take personal responsibility for making our roads safer. Your actions on our roads can save lives.” This call to action for communal responsibility during the festive season resonates louder than ever as South Africa grapples with alarming trends before the New Year.
