More than 100 road fatalities were recorded in December 2022 in Gauteng alone, according to Arrive Alive, amounting to an average of over three people losing their lives on the road every day of the month just in this one province.
In addition, 2,000 motorists were arrested by traffic enforcement for various infringements, with driving under the influence of alcohol being cited as the most common offence.
The festive period once again saw a dramatic increase in the number of driving violations, resulting in over 100,000 fines being issued since the start of December.
With the holidays coming to a close, Arrive Alive and the Gauteng traffic police are urging drivers to exercise caution while out on the road to avoid incidents.
This includes switching on headlamps to improve visibility both for the driver and other road users, obeying the speed limit, and ensuring that luggage in the back of the car does not obscure the driver’s sight through the rear-view mirror.
The traffic police also warned public transport operators to refrain from continuously driving on the yellow line on the freeway as it is illegal and endangers other road users.
“Road crashes and fatalities contribute to the alarming rate of disabilities and deaths in the province,” said Sello Maremane, spokesperson for the area’s traffic police.
“This is largely attributed to the attitude and behaviour of road users, such as unsafe overtaking, unsafe lane changing, overspeeding, pedestrian jaywalking, and lack of concentration by drivers. Substance abuse and vehicle fitness have also compounded the situation on our roads.”
High traffic volumes for the week ahead
The roads in South Africa’s most densely-populated province are expected to be heavily congested for the next week as people make their way home from their holiday destinations.
According to the Gauteng traffic police, the following routes and freeways are expected to experience the highest traffic volumes:
- N1 – Polokwane to Pretoria
- N4 – Emalahleni to Pretoria
- N4 – Rustenburg to Pretoria
- R573 – Pretoria Moloto Road
- N3 – Durban to Johannesburg
- N12 – Emalahleni to Johannesburg
- N1 – Bloemfontein to Johannesburg
- N12 – Potchefstroom to Johannesburg
The department also warns that everyday traffic is expected to worsen in the coming weeks as schools re-open and people start commuting to work again, urging drivers to be careful and vigilant at all times.
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