The Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy released the Easter road fatality statistics revealing a 45.6% decrease in the number of people that died on the roads. The data obtained over the Easter weekend says there were 167 fatalities as opposed to the 307 recorded over the same period in 2024.
During this time the total number of crashes also decreased from 209 in 2024 to 141 in 2025. This is a significant drop of 32.5% as well. The Department of Transport is attributing this decrease to the Easter Safety Campaign launched by law enforcement on 20 March.
The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says that almost halving the fatality rate is a great achievement for the country. “This means 140 less people lost their lives this Easter period on the roads. To place this in perspective, it is the equivalent of 35 cars with four passengers in each vehicle.
“A decrease of this magnitude cannot be discounted. It is a demonstration that the commitment shown by various organisations as well as the Department to removing reckless drivers on our roads does have power to bring about significant change. The efforts of law enforcement removed over 4 600 risky drivers and/or dangerous vehicles from the road over Easter.”
While on this positive decline, South Africans should take heed and law enforcement should not abate in their efforts. “Many South African schools closed this week due to the two additional public holidays and traffic will likely be just as busy, if not busier, than Easter weekend.
“Road safety efforts must continue throughout April among civil organisations as well as law enforcement. While official statistics were released prior to the conclusion of all the public and school holidays, history shows that high fatality rates persist beyond the official Easter weekend.”
The preliminary data, although encouraging represents only part of the complete picture. “The measures taken by law enforcement are proving effective and the heightened visibility and enforcement measures should be sustained to yield better results over a longer period than what is seen over only the one long weekend.
“Likewise, we urge all motorists to take law enforcements commitment to improved road safety seriously if you are one to take risks over this time. Remain vigilant, avoid distractions, follow speed limits, and never drive intoxicated – regardless of whether one’s journeys falls within a safety campaign or not.”
We should measure our success not only by the statistics released now but by ensuring every road user safely reaches their destination throughout April as well as the rest of 2025. “A 45.6% decrease is not something that should be overlooked. It should, however, be only one part of decreased fatality rates for the full year,” says Herbert.
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