Eastern Cape records major improvement in festive season road safety
Gqeberha – The Eastern Cape Department of Transport has reported a significant improvement in road safety outcomes during the 2025/26 festive season, following the release of national statistics by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy.
Presenting the provincial breakdown of the Arrive Alive campaign, the Eastern Cape MEC for Transport Xolile Nqatha confirmed that the Eastern Cape is among the most improved provinces in the country, achieving a substantial reduction in road fatalities despite increased traffic volumes.
Significant Reduction in Road Deaths
Compared to the 2024/25 festive season, Nqatha said the province recorded:
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A 33% decrease in fatalities, from 251 to 167
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A 21% reduction in fatal crashes, from 176 to 139
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A 50% drop in pedestrian deaths, from 24 to 12
“These improvements were attributed to intensified law enforcement and sustained road safety education initiatives”, said Nqatha..
Strong Enforcement Results
He said the Department’s “Zero Tolerance” approach led to heightened enforcement activity:
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Vehicles stopped and checked increased to over 301,000
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Drunk-driving arrests more than doubled, from 705 to 1,450
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Public transport impoundments rose sharply, from 36 to 281
Six cases of bribery involving traffic officers were uncovered, along with arrests for impersonating law enforcement officials and illegal firearm possession. In one extreme case, a driver was arrested near Bizana with an alcohol level nearly 12 times the legal limit.
High-Risk Periods Identified
MEC Nqatha said analysis revealed that the third and fourth weeks of December remain the most dangerous, with crashes peaking between 17h00 and 22h00. Mondays have emerged as a new high-risk day, alongside Thursdays and Fridays, often linked to payday weekends and factory shutdowns.
Commitment to Saving Lives
While welcoming the progress, the Department emphasized that every statistic represents a life lost.
“Our roads cannot and must not become death traps,” the Department said, noting the profound human cost of road crashes.
Looking Ahead to 2030
Aligned with the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, the Eastern Cape aims to reduce road fatalities by 50% by 2030 through a year-round road safety programme. Planned interventions include:
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Stronger coordination with SAPS, metros, and municipalities
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Eliminating corruption in Driver and Learner Testing Centres
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Expanding partnerships with faith-based and civic groups
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Improving driver training and professional standards
Nqatha expressed condolences to bereaved families and thanked responsible road users for contributing to these life-saving outcomes.
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