South Africa's most dangerous roads named as Festive Season Road Safety Campaign gets underway

Special attention will be focused on South Africa’s most dangerous roads as the Department of Transport’s 2024 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign gets underway this month.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, who launched the 2024 campaign on Sunday, said that road crashes cost the South African economy R205 billion last year. 11,883 road fatalities took place in 2023, of which 1,285 occurred over the festive season, which traditionally sees a spike in road accidents.

“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. Behind every statistic is a story – a life lost, a family left grieving, or often there is a person dealing with life-changing injuries,” Creecy said.

The Minister said her department was working alongside the Road Traffic Management Corporation as well as the relevant provincial and municipal departments to ensure a safer festive season in 2024.

Targeted interventions will focus on enforcement, education and pedestrian safety, and based on collected accident data the DOT has identified 20 priority routes where most crashes occur:

• Limpopo: R71 Mankweng, R37 Mecklenburg and the N1 Naboomspruit
• Mpumalanga: R573 KwaMhlanga, N4 Vosman and N4 Nelspruit
• Gauteng: R21 Kempton Park
• North West: N12 Potchefstroom and N12 Klerksdorp
• KZN: N2 Pongola and N2 Umkomaas
• Eastern Cape: R61 Mzamba, N2 Libode, N2 Idutywa, R61 Umthatha, N2 Mount Ayliff, R61 Libode and N2 Umthatha
• Western Cape: N2 Khayelitsha

Creecy said stringent monitoring had been put in place on these routes and others.

“The best research available tells us that most crashes occur during weekends, late at night and in the early hours of the morning. Accordingly, 24/7 traffic policing will be conducted on these routes over the festive season.”

Law enforcement will focus on speeding and vehicle roadworthiness, while those caught drunk driving will be locked up.

The DOT and RTMC have also partnered with civil society groups and faith-based organisations to implement education and awareness campaigns in their communities.

Minister Creecy concluded with the following road safety tips for motorists and pedestrians.

• Road crashes cause injuries and death so, when using the roads this festive season, take your safety seriously – and the safety of others.
• Before any journey: Check your vehicle and make sure it is roadworthy! Carry a valid driver's license. Make sure your Public Driving Permit is in order if you need one.
• If you are a pedestrian this festive season, make smart choices: Only cross the road at a marked intersection or pedestrian crossing! Avoid jaywalking! Wear bright clothing at night! 
• Fatigue is a silent killer. If you’re on the long road, take a break every two hours or every 200km.
• Remember, buckle up and stay within the speed limit.
• Don't overtake on a barrier line.
• Travel during the day as it is safer.
• If you are a pedestrian and you’ve been drinking alcohol, stay off the road.
• Do not drink and drive! The consequences are very serious and you could end up in jail.
• Plan ahead – if you’re going to drink alcohol, use public transport or designate a driver.

IOL