Driver behaviour blamed for majority of road fatalities – Creecy

Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy, says driver behaviour is responsible for up to 80% of road accidents in the country.

She made the remarks during the department’s pre-Easter Road Safety Operation on the N1 North in Limpopo, urging motorists to take full responsibility as they travel.

Creecy says while there has been a reduction in road fatalities, the numbers remain unacceptably high, with many crashes still involving drivers under the influence of alcohol.

Creecy also highlighted that nearly half of the accidents involve pedestrians, with the department intensifying efforts to educate the public.

She said authorities are also investigating why pedestrians continue to cross highways, despite the risks.

“In some instances we have found that there are indeed pedestrian-bridges but those bridges are crime-hotspots. So part of what we have to do is we do have to intervene in broader issues that are not directly linked to road safety in order to improve road safety outcomes and in those instances we are trying to work with ward councilors so that we get community patrollers to those bridges so that citizens feel safe to use them and not have to risk their lives on the road,” Creecy added.

Creecy said the department is on high alert ahead of the Easter travel period, with increased deployment of law enforcement along major routes.

“It is a well known fact that the N1 is the busiest route during this period and it requires the full attention of all emergency services so that we reduce crashes and fatalities. As we start this weekend we have already noted positive progress as the number of crashes and fatalities nationwide between the 20th of March 2026 and the 30th of March 2026 has shown a reduction compared with the the same period last year,” Creecy said.

More than 500 motorists have been arrested for drunk driving  ince the launch of the Easter road safety campaign.

Preliminary data shows a decline in road fatalities, with 255 deaths recorded between 20 and 30 March 2026, compared to 306 during the same period last year, a decrease of 16.7%.

“Gauteng Limpopo, and Northern Cape have recorded the sharpest decrease in fatalities averaging over 45% over the same period last year, ” Creecy said.

EASTER SEASON ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN

I therefore call on every road user to take personal responsibility:

Avoid alcohol when driving

Always obey speed limits

Ensure the vehicle is roadworthy before travelling

Take regular rest breaks on long journeys

Always wear your… pic.twitter.com/KjIffXWZNe

— Department of Transport (@Dotransport) April 2, 2026

Meanwhile, Limpopo Premier Phophi Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba says the province’s biggest in improving road safety remains inadequate infrastructure.

She said only about 6 500 km of Limpopo’s more than 20 000 km road network is paved or tarred, with the majority still gravel.

Ramathuba said that over R300 billion would be needed to fully upgrade the province’s roads, particularly following recent flood damage.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao