Government Launches Easter Road Safety Campaign with Tough Crackdown on Unsafe Vehicles and Drivers

The Department of Transport has officially launched its 2026 Easter Road Safety Campaign, with a strong warning to motorists, operators, and pedestrians ahead of one of the busiest travel periods on the country’s roads.

Speaking at the launch in Vosloorus on 20 March, the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, made it clear that authorities will be stepping up enforcement across major routes, especially the N1, N2, N3 and N4, where traffic volumes are expected to surge.

The campaign, running through to early May, carries the theme “It Begins With Me”, pushing personal responsibility as the biggest factor in reducing crashes. According to the Department, over 80% of accidents are caused by human behaviour, not mechanical failure or road conditions.

There is some positive news though. Early data from January to mid-March shows a drop in crashes by 11% and fatalities down by 10% compared to last year. Still, officials say this is no time to relax.

One of the biggest concerns flagged is vehicle compliance. Current records show over 342,000 vehicles, including trucks, buses and taxis, are not roadworthy. On top of that, more than 338,000 professional driving permits have expired.

Authorities have warned that vehicles with issues like faulty brakes, worn tyres or steering problems will be pulled off the road immediately. For operators, especially in freight, this is where things can get serious fast.

Cross-border transport is also under the spotlight, with increased monitoring planned to clamp down on illegal operations, overloading and permit violations.

Another major focus is pedestrian safety, with nearly half of all road deaths involving pedestrians. Extra patrols will be deployed in high-risk areas, especially near highways and busy zones.

For drivers hitting long-distance routes, the message is simple: stagger travel times, stop every two hours, and don’t push fatigue.

For us in the trucking game, this campaign is going to be heavy on enforcement. If your truck isn’t 100%, or your paperwork isn’t sorted, expect trouble on the road.