Despite next month’s looming petrol price increases, South Africa’s roads are expected to be as busy as ever for the Easter Weekend, exposing drivers to more than 340,000 unroadworthy vehicles.
During the launch of this year’s Easter Road Safety Campaign, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy called the period “one of the most hazardous times on our national road network”.
However, she did note that the number of road fatalities in 2026 had decreased when compared to last year’s January to March figures, dropping to the lowest number in six years.
“With regard to progress in reducing road fatalities this year, we are pleased to report that we have seen encouraging signs,” she noted.
“The number of crashes in the period decreased by 11% compared to the same period in 2025. Every province has seen a decrease in the number of crashes.”
Road deaths decreased by 10% compared to the same period last year, as six provinces – Gauteng, the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North West and Eastern Cape – recorded decreases in fatalities.
The minister noted that this was not by accident, crediting coordinated law enforcement, strategic partnerships with civil society and a shift in the collective consciousness of road users.
“However, we cannot rest on these laurels. As long as one family still receives a knock on the door with news of a tragedy, our work is not done,” she declared.
Minister Creecy reiterated that the South African government regards local road safety as a human rights matter linked to the right to life and freedom of movement.
She noted that it is for this reason that South Africa is working towards the United Nations (UN) target of halving all road deaths by 2030.
The department’s Easter Weekend plans
Minister Creecy announced that her department has adopted the theme “It Begins With Me”, which appeals to drivers to take personal accountability, as over 80% of road crashes occur as a result of human behaviour.
“We are calling on every driver, passenger, and pedestrian to take ownership of their conduct on our shared roads,” said the minister.
Law enforcement agencies have been directed to remain uncompromising as they prioritise freight transport safety and pedestrians over the holiday period.
The department also reports that currently, the National Administration Traffic Information System (NaTIS) indicates 342,048 vehicles – mainly minibuses, buses, and trucks – are not roadworthy.
The system also indicates that 338,659 professional driving permits have expired.
“We are engaging with the taxi and bus industries to address these worrying figures and ensure vehicle roadworthiness,” Minister Creecy confirmed.
“Vehicles found with defective brakes, smooth tyres or steering faults will be impounded immediately to protect passengers.”
Law enforcement visibility around pedestrian accident-prone areas will be increased, and supported by local communities as well as the police.
Emphasis will once again be placed on drunk driving, as well as drunk pedestrians crossing roads, as the department works towards tightening Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act.
The highest-risk routes include the N1, N2, N3, and N4, which will see “an unprecedented saturation of mobile and static checkpoints” as the department intensifies traffic policing along national corridors.
Those who try to thwart policing efforts by rerouting may be in for a surprise on secondary routes.
Through round-the-clock monitoring of traffic trends, we will be able to monitor such diversions,” declared the minister.
“Our plans are agile and will follow traffic patterns and allow for surprise patrols at times and routes nobody expects us to cover.”
Creecy called on road users to be responsible and respect one another, urging drivers to stagger their travel times to avoid peak congestion, stopping frequently to avoid fatigue.
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