The Minister announced a nationwide road safety campaign aimed at reducing traffic violations and fatalities during the Easter weekend and beyond. The initiative brings together various stakeholders to strengthen law enforcement visibility, deter reckless driving, and improve safety on South African roads.
“We are here in the Eastern Cape because, along with Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, and Limpopo, this region accounts for over 76% of the country’s road accidents and fatalities,” said Minister Creecy during a live Facebook stream.
She highlighted that the most serious crashes typically occur on Friday and Saturday nights. To address this, authorities plan to increase police visibility, particularly during late-night and early-morning hours when dangerous driving behaviour is most common.
Deputy Minister Hlengwa echoed these concerns, stating that drunk driving remains a critical issue—especially between 7pm and 1am—when many motorists are either fatigued or recovering from social events. He also pointed out the dangers posed by pedestrians walking in unauthorized areas at night, which can obstruct traffic and lead to further accidents.
During an interview with SABC News, Minister Creecy reported that more than 80,000 vehicles were stopped in recent operations, leading to over 250 arrests for driving under the influence. “Almost every vehicle we stopped had some form of non-compliance—whether it was a lack of a driver’s license or expired vehicle registration,” she said.
Creecy noted that human error contributes to 80% of all road accidents in South Africa. This includes speeding, distracted driving, and intoxicated driving. She also raised concerns about cellphone use behind the wheel—particularly for taking photos or creating content—describing it as a major distraction for both drivers and passengers.
“While it may seem harmless, just five seconds of inattention due to cellphone use can significantly delay a driver’s reaction time,” she explained.
Hlengwa urged all road users to work together—drivers, pedestrians, and law enforcement alike—to ensure safety. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that vehicles are roadworthy before any trip.
Eastern Cape Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha revealed that over 200 people lost their lives during last year’s Easter period due to negligent behaviour. He expressed gratitude for the minister’s continued efforts to improve road safety in the province.
Minister Creecy confirmed that the government is fully prepared for the holiday season, with operational centers in place and coordinated enforcement plans to monitor traffic nationwide. She also encouraged long-distance travellers to always follow traffic regulations, avoid speeding, and refrain from driving at night.
