Pretoria: This year’s Easter Weekend Road Safety Report indicates that South Africa recorded the lowest number of crashes and fatalities in the last three years. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announced on Tuesday that crashes decreased from 209 in 2024 to 141 in 2025, representing a 32.5% overall decline compared to 2024.
According to South African Government News Agency, all provinces recorded decreases in crashes except the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga, which both experienced an increase. Fatalities dropped from 307 in 2024 to 167 in 2025, marking a 45.6% decrease. However, Mpumalanga saw a 27.3% rise in fatalities, with 28 recorded compared to 22 in 2024, as reported by Creecy during a media briefing in Pretoria.
The 2025 Easter Season Road Safety Arrive Alive campaign, launched on 20 March and running until 2 May 2025, operates under the theme “It begins with Me”. The government credits the decline in accidents and fatalities to consistent law enforcement operations, coordinated actions by authorities at various levels, and partnerships between civil society and the government.
Long weekends are typically associated with increased risks of fatal crashes due to factors like drunken driving, increased pedestrian activity, and higher traffic volumes. Creecy noted that early communication and education campaigns, collaborations with civil society organizations, and joint planning by law enforcement agencies enhance road safety.
The Minister emphasized that the Easter weekend statistics reflect a broader downward trend in road accidents and fatalities, with a 16% decline in fatalities and a 13% decrease in total accidents from January to March. While most provinces saw a decrease in crashes, Mpumalanga recorded the same number as the previous year. Fatalities decreased in seven provinces, except for the Free State and Mpumalanga, which saw slight increases.
Pedestrian-related fatalities account for 47% of all road deaths, highlighting the need for more targeted communication at the local level. Creecy expressed optimism about meeting the target to reduce crashes and fatalities by at least 50% by 2029, emphasizing the importance of sustaining these achievements consistently.