The Department of Transport has issued a stark warning to motorists as millions of South Africans prepare to hit the roads for the festive season, highlighting the country’s most dangerous routes and urging road users to take personal responsibility to save lives.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy launched the 365-day Arrive Alive Road Safety Campaign at the start of December, stressing that safer roads depend largely on the behaviour of drivers, passengers and pedestrians.
“Most crashes on our roads are not accidents in the true sense of the word. They are preventable and overwhelmingly linked to human behaviour,” Creecy said.
Road deaths down – but still unacceptably high
Creecy noted a significant milestone this year: for the first time in five years, South Africa’s national road death toll has dropped, with around 700 fewer fatalities recorded.
However, she cautioned that the overall picture remains troubling, with more than 9 400 people killed on the roads so far this year.
“That number is much, much too high,” she said.
Data collected throughout the year shows that human error accounts for nine out of every 10 crashes, with Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Limpopo recording the highest number of fatal accidents.
Pedestrians remain the most vulnerable road users, accounting for more than half of all road deaths.
High-risk periods and enforcement blitz
Authorities have warned that weekend travel, late-night driving and long-distance trips where fatigue sets in are the most dangerous times on South Africa’s roads.
As part of the festive season safety plan, law enforcement will increase visibility and conduct 24-hour patrols, with intensified roadblocks focusing on:
- Vehicle roadworthiness
- Valid driver’s licences
- Seatbelt and child-restraint compliance
- Speeding and drunk driving
South Africa’s most dangerous roads
The Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) has urged motorists to rely on verified data when assessing road risk.
According to the Department of Transport and road safety reports, several routes consistently emerge as the most dangerous, especially during peak holiday travel.
These include:
- N1 (Pretoria-Polokwane, Cape Town-Johannesburg): High traffic volumes and reckless overtaking
- N2 (Cape Town-Durban, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal): Speeding, drunk driving and heavy pedestrian activity
- N3 (Johannesburg-Durban): Congestion, trucks and long-distance buses
- N4 (Pretoria-Mpumalanga-Mozambique): Popular tourist and cross-border route, with fatigue and speeding risks
- N12 (Johannesburg-Kimberley): Long enforcement-free stretches
- Provincial roads such as the R61 (Eastern Cape) and R71 (Limpopo): Poor road conditions and mixed traffic
Key safety advice for holiday travellers
Road safety experts and insurers have urged motorists to take extra precautions, including:
- Maintaining safe following distances and constant awareness
- Never mixing alcohol and driving
- Obeying speed limits and adjusting for weather and road conditions
- Checking vehicles before long trips
- Taking breaks every two hours to combat fatigue
- Avoiding overloading vehicles
- Wearing seatbelts and using proper child restraints
- Planning routes to avoid damaged roads, peak congestion and severe weather
As festive travel ramps up, authorities have reiterated that every road user has a role to play in ensuring that families arrive safely at their destinations.
Will you be travelling on any of those roads this festive season?
Let us know by clicking on the comment banner below …
