Over 10,000 people have died on South Africa’s roads in 2024. Transport Minister Barbara Creece and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa, shared these shocking statistics on Sunday. The duo, joined by transport MECs from various provinces, launched the festive season road safety campaign aimed at reducing accidents and fatalities. Under the theme ‘Every Day Without a Road Death – South Africa 2024‘, Creecy highlighted this year’s focus areas, including strategic law enforcement deployment and awareness initiatives to support the campaign.
Creecy stated that 10,154 people have died on South Africa’s roads in 2024.
“The high number of crashes and their consequences greatly affect South African society. This impact is measured in lost lives, pain, grief, suffering, and comes at a significant economic cost.” Provinces across the country have increased safety and security measures as the festive season begins, with metro police officers deployed to key areas.
1. Obey the rules of the road and carry your driver’s license with you.
2. Plan the route to your holiday destination and allow yourself enough time to reach the destination
3. Make sure that your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition before departure. All lights and indicators, windscreens, windscreen wipers, brakes, steering, shock absorbers, exhaust system and tyres should be carefully examined for faults.
4. Do not overload.
5. Try to avoid driving after dark if possible.
6. Have a good rest before you embark on your journey
7. Take safety breaks every 2 hours or 200km. Rest, have an energy drink and continue once well-rested.
8. Do not drink and drive
9. Try to recognise potentially dangerous drivers on and pedestrians alongside the road and keep well clear of them
10. Be visible – drive with your lights on
11. Headlights should be dipped well before an approaching vehicle is within the range of the main beam.
12. Always wear your seat belt and see that everyone in the car is wearing theirs.
13. Drive defensively
14. Stay within the speed limit at all times
15. Only overtake when it is absolutely safe to do so
16. Maintain at least a 2-second following distance – this distance should be increased at night, in foggy or rainy conditions and when the road is wet.
17. Expect others to not be as obedient to the law as yourself
18. Avoid distractions on the road such as texting, conversations on cellular phones etc.
19. Be courteous towards fellow road users – keep your temper and resist the temptation to retaliate
20. Know your emergency numbers – When you need assistance, kindly call the following numbers
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