The Eastern Cape is home to the majority of South Africa’s car crash hotspots, followed by Limpopo and Mpumalanga which are tied for second, KwaZulu-Natal and North West third, and Gauteng and Western Cape last.
This was revealed by the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, during the launch of the annual Festive Season Road Safety Campaign.
Creecy noted that South Africa recorded 10,180 fatal crashes in 2023 which resulted in 11,883 deaths. Of these 5,360 were pedestrians.
Furthermore, a staggering 21.3% of road deaths in 2023 involved hit-and-run incidents. Alcohol and speed were two of the biggest contributors, too.
In addition to the human lives lost, road crashes cost the country no less than R205 billion in 2023, accounting for a whopping 2.74% of the GDP.
As per the Department of Transport (DoT), the roads below were where most of these crashes took place:
- Gauteng – R21 Kempton Park
- Western Cape – N2 Khayelitsha
- KwaZulu-Natal – N2 Pongola and N2 Umkomaas
- North West – N12 Potchefstroom and N12 Klerksdorp
- Limpopo – R71 Mankweng, R37 Mecklenburg, and N1 Naboomspruit.
- Mpumalanga – R573 KwaMhlanga, N4 Vosman, and N4 Nelspruit.
- Eastern Cape – R61 Mzamba, N2 Libode, N2 Idutywa, R61 Umthatha, N2 Mount Ayliff, R61 Libode, and N2 Umthatha
“These statistics are sobering. The number of road crashes and the impact on our people and our country is a tragic story of death and destruction, year in and year out,” said Creecy.
“Behind every statistic is a story – a life lost, a family left grieving, or often there is a person dealing with life-changing injuries.”
A collective effort for safer roads
Creecy notes that achieving safer roads will require a collective effort from both government and society, as one can not realise this feat without the other.
For its part, the DoT in partnership with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) as well as provincial and municipal traffic departments has launched the 2024 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign that includes several initiatives aimed at reducing deaths and lawlessness on the roads this holiday period.
During December and early days of January, the entities will conduct 24/7 traffic policing on these accident-prone routes, ensuring that drivers stick to the speed limits and remain sober behind the wheel.
These officers will also be conducting more frequent roadblocks and roadside checks to clamp down on non-compliance.
Law enforcement will furthermore be focused on border posts which experience a large increase in traffic during this time of year.
A dedicated intelligence operational centre has already been set up to support officers on the ground.
Alongside these interventions, the DoT and its partner organisations have also undertaken a campaign focusing on targeted messaging on radio and social media during this period.
The Department and RTMC have partnered with civil society groups and faith-based organisations that will be rolling out education and awareness campaigns in their communities to ensure that all road users are aware of their roles and responsibilities.
“We can only lower the number of deaths during this festive season and make our roads safer through targeted interventions that include all sectors of our society and employ all the tools available to us,” concluded Creecy.
“To those who will be travelling to various destinations inside the country and our neighbouring states during this period, let us remember that road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and ensure that you and your loved ones arrive alive.”
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