Pretoria: The Road Accident Fund (RAF) has urged road users to exercise responsibility during the Easter weekend, emphasizing the substantial financial burden of road accidents on government resources and the broader societal impact.
According to South African Government News Agency, in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the RAF disbursed claims amounting to R45.6 billion. This sum comprised R47 million for funeral claims, R21.6 billion for loss of earnings, R12.7 billion for general damages, R2.6 billion for loss of support, and R1.7 billion for medical compensation.
The RAF has called on South African road users to strive for a fatality-free Easter by driving responsibly. The organization highlighted the severe emotional, social, and economic toll that road accidents inflict on victims, their families, and the nation. In 2024, Easter weekend fatalities reached their highest since 2019, with 335 deaths, a significant rise from the 252 deaths recorded in 2023.
Human error, vehicle malfunctions, and environmental factors were major contributors to the 1,325 fatalities during Easter weekends from 2019 to 2024. Key human factors included speeding, jaywalking, and hit-and-run incidents. Vehicle issues such as tyre bursts, brake failures, and worn tyres were frequent causes of accidents. Additionally, environmental factors like poor visibility, sharp bends, stray animals, and road surface defects posed significant risks to road safety.
RAF Chief Executive Officer Collins Letsoalo emphasized the role of reckless driving, pedestrian negligence, and inadequate vehicle maintenance in road crashes. Letsoalo urged road users to commit to responsible driving to prevent unintended arrivals at destinations and to aim for a fatality-free Easter weekend.
In early 2025, the RAF engaged in a road safety awareness initiative through collaborations with radio stations, soccer events, school programs, and workshops. These efforts included distributing scholar patrol uniforms, raising cyclist safety awareness, hosting Defensive Driver Workshops, using reflective sprays on livestock, assisting adult crossings for students, and clearing vegetation from sidewalks in high-accident areas.
For those involved in motor vehicle accidents, the RAF can be contacted at 087 820 1 111, Monday to Friday, from 07h45 to 16h00. Claimants can also reach out via WhatsApp at 071 605 4707, SMS at 44930, or email at [email protected]. The RAF has offices nationwide, with details available on its website at www.raf.co.za.