The Western Cape Government has reported a slight drop in road-related fatalities over the Easter weekend, with 22 lives lost between April 17 and 21, compared to 26 in the same period last year.
While the decline is welcome, officials continue to emphasise the importance of responsible road behaviour as another long weekend looms.
The provincial government’s Mobility and Health departments deployed teams across the region during the peak travel period to enforce safety measures and provide emergency assistance.
Official data recorded 22 fatal crashes over the Easter weekend, with the highest number of incidents recorded in the Cape metro.
The breakdown of fatalities includes 14 pedestrians, five passengers, two drivers and one motorcyclist. According to officials 14 of the deaths occurred on municipal roads, while eight were reported on provincial routes.
The provincial traffic services were active throughout the Easter period, conducting 784 integrated operations, including roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints and speed-enforcement activities, a spokesperson for the Mobility Department Muneera Allie said.
More than 30 000 vehicles were stopped and checked, and 8 714 speeding violations recorded while more than 19 000 traffic fines were issued. A total of 226 arrests were made, 181 for drunk driving.
“We are encouraged by the reduction in fatalities,” added Allie, “but our message remains clear; road safety is a shared responsibility. With another long weekend ahead, we urge all road users to prioritise safety, plan ahead and never drive under the influence.”
The Western Cape Government plans to maintain high visibility and continue road safety operations throughout the upcoming public holiday period.
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