Over 300,000 unroadworthy vehicles raise Easter Road death fears

As millions prepare to hit the roads this Easter, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, has raised alarm over a major safety risk – revealing that more than 300,000 public transport vehicles in South Africa are unroadworthy, heightening fears of a deadly combination of mechanical failure and human error during one of the busiest periods on the roads.

Creecy made the remarks while launching the 2026 Easter Road Safety Campaign along the N3 in Gauteng, warning that while human error remains the leading cause of crashes, unsafe vehicles are worsening the severity of accidents.

“You can see that we are going deeper and deeper in our analysis of exactly what is causing these accidents… we’ve identified over 300,000 public transport vehicles that are not roadworthy,” she said.

The minister says authorities are intensifying efforts to analyse crash data more precisely, identifying high-risk factors such as alcohol abuse, which continues to play a significant role in road fatalities.

“In every trauma case that comes into a hospital, you will find that either the victim or the perpetrator is involved in alcohol abuse.”

Creecy emphasised that poor vehicle conditions – including worn tyres and faulty brakes – can turn minor driver mistakes into fatal incidents.

“If you’re driving a vehicle where the tyres are smooth or the brakes are not working properly… unfortunate decisions that you make are going to be far more costly.”

Beyond vehicles and driver behaviour, pedestrian safety has emerged as another growing concern. Creecy warned that risky pedestrian habits, especially on highways and at night, are contributing to rising fatalities.

“It’s an absolute no-no for a pedestrian to cross a highway… when a driver is driving at 120 kilometres an hour, they will not be able to stop in time.”

She added that many pedestrians underestimate the dangers, often crossing in low visibility conditions or wearing dark clothing, making them difficult for drivers to see.

Authorities are now focusing on improving highway patrols near high-risk areas, particularly where informal settlements border major roads, and encouraging the use of pedestrian bridges.

Creecy also stressed that stricter, more consistent law enforcement, along with stronger cooperation with prosecutors, will be critical in deterring reckless behaviour.

“Driving an unroadworthy vehicle and driving drunk… you could land up being the accessory to someone’s death.”

With traffic volumes expected to surge over the Easter weekend, government is urging both motorists and pedestrians to act responsibly, warning that even small acts of negligence could have deadly consequences.

EASTER SEASON ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN LAUNCH

[IN PICTURES]

For the next two months, we reaffirm our theme: “It Begins With Me”. This is more than a slogan; it is an appeal for personal accountability. Over 80% of
road crashes are the direct result of human behavior.

We are… pic.twitter.com/QKVw4QFSWP

— Department of Transport (@Dotransport) March 20, 2026

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe