Latest festive season road deaths: Transport Minister reveals 3% hike compared to 2023

CAPE TOWN - Transport Minister Barbara Creecy says road accident fatalities have increased by 3% in the country compared to the same time last year.

Creecy joined traffic officials at a stop-and-search just outside Touwsrivier on Thursday, to provide a mid-festive season update on road safety.

She says 512 people have died in road accidents over the festive season since 1 December 2024.

According to the minister, 45% of the fatalities were pedestrians crossing the country's main arterial roads.

"[We have recorded] 512 fatalities since the 1ts of December, is a terrible number. And what is equally terrible is that half that number - over 250 people - are pedestrians."

Creecy met with traffic officials from various provinces this week to take remedial action to curb road deaths for the rest of the festive season.

The minister says national and provincial traffic police will now be divided equally and deployed at hotspots throughout the country.