Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy has hailed the 2025 Easter road safety campaign as a major success, revealing a significant drop in both crashes and fatalities during the holiday period.
Releasing the Easter 2025 Road Safety Report, the Minister said this year saw the lowest number of crashes and fatalities in the past three years.
The campaign, which kicked off on 20 March, involved partnerships with civil society, the private sector, public transport operators, and influential individuals across the country.
The message was clear: “It begins with me.”
Between 17 and 21 April, the number of crashes dropped from 209 in 2024 to 141 in 2025, marking a 32.5% decrease.
Road fatalities also saw a dramatic 45.6% drop, from 307 to 167.
Only the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga recorded increases in crashes, with Mpumalanga also being the only province to record an increase in deaths – 28 compared to 22 in 2024.
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Minister Creecy credited three key factors for the success:
- Consistent, widespread law enforcement
- Coordination across all levels of government
- Strong partnerships with civil society
Law enforcement efforts were stepped up significantly:
- 177,584 vehicles stopped and checked
- 44,505 fines issued
- 2,018 vehicles discontinued
- 1,536 vehicles impounded
- 941 drunk drivers arrested
- 8 people arrested for trying to bribe officers
The fastest recorded speed was an outrageous 214km/h in Limpopo, while the highest breath alcohol reading was nearly ten times the legal limit in Tsolo, Eastern Cape.
Despite the success, the Minister warned that pedestrian deaths now make up 47% of road fatalities, calling for more localised efforts to address this crisis.
Looking ahead, the Department aims to halve road deaths by 2029 and believes the current results show that the target is within reach – if the momentum is maintained.
“My thanks go out to all traffic officers, SAPS members, MECs, civil society groups and private citizens who made this possible,” she concluded.
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