The Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, released a concerning road safety report on January 20, 2025, highlighting the tragic reality of pedestrian fatalities in South Africa.

The report showed that a staggering 41% of all road fatalities during the 2024/2025 festive season were pedestrians.

The Most Dangerous Provinces for Pedestrians

According to the data, the majority of pedestrian fatalities occurred in South Africa’s most populated provinces, including Gauteng, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal.

These provinces saw some of the highest percentages of pedestrian deaths, with Gauteng leading at 63.84%, followed by the Western Cape at 53.9%, and KwaZulu-Natal at 44.33%.

Minister Creecy Calls for Action on Pedestrian Safety

Minister Creecy emphasized that pedestrian safety continues to be a major concern.

She called on individuals to take the necessary precautions to avoid becoming part of these troubling statistics. Among the safety measures highlighted were:

Avoid drinking alcohol before walking on the roads.
Stay visible at night and walk in well-lit areas.
Avoid jaywalking and crossing streets in unsafe places.
Use pedestrian crossings or designated areas when crossing the road.

Road Safety Remains a Serious Issue

The Minister stressed that there is a lot of work to be done to reduce the number of fatalities on South Africa’s roads.

The festive season of 2024/2025 saw a 5.3% increase in fatalities compared to the previous year.

Additionally, there was a 4.2% rise in vehicle crashes.

Creecy pointed out that the statistics were a clear reflection of road users disobeying traffic laws and disregarding human life.

Describing the situation as a “very serious problem,” she called for an urgent change in behavior among South African road users.

A Call for Change on South Africa’s Roads

Minister Creecy delivered a strong message, urging South Africans to reassess their behavior behind the wheel and on the roads.

She emphasized the urgent need for change in the way people approach road safety to prevent further loss of life.

Your Thoughts on the Statistics

The report paints a bleak picture of South Africa’s road safety, but what do you think? Are you surprised by these findings, or did they align with your expectations?

The government is looking for feedback from the public, so feel free to share your thoughts and join the conversation.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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