As winter conditions tighten their grip across South Africa, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has called on all road users to remain vigilant amid rising concerns over pedestrian fatalities and hazardous road conditions.

The RTMC warned that shorter days, poor visibility, dense fog, mist and black ice significantly increase the risk of crashes during winter.

According to the corporation, pedestrians currently account for nearly half of all road fatalities nationwide, making them one of the most vulnerable groups on the country’s roads.

“Human behaviour remains the leading factor in road traffic incidents. As visibility drops during these winter months, both motorists and pedestrians must drastically change their behaviour to adapt to the conditions,” the RTMC stated.

Authorities highlighted that peak travelling times now occur during darkness or twilight due to late sunrises and earlier sunsets.

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The RTMC urged pedestrians to prioritise visibility by avoiding dark clothing and wearing reflective or bright-coloured items when walking in the early mornings and evenings.

Pedestrians were also cautioned against walking under the influence of alcohol, crossing highways illegally and jaywalking on busy roads.

“Highways are not walk zones,” the RTMC emphasised.

Motorists have meanwhile been advised to ensure that headlights, indicators, fog lights and windscreen wipers are fully functional before travelling.

Drivers were also reminded to maintain safe tyre tread levels to improve grip on wet or icy roads and to increase following distances in poor weather conditions.

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The corporation further encouraged motorists travelling long distances to take regular breaks to avoid fatigue.

The RTMC warned that heavy fog and smoke from veld fires could reduce visibility to dangerous levels and advised motorists to switch on low-beam headlights and hazard lights or pull over safely if visibility becomes severely limited.

Law enforcement agencies and provincial traffic authorities have intensified 24-hour operations along high-risk routes to clamp down on speeding, unroadworthy vehicles and driving or walking under the influence of alcohol.

The RTMC called on all South Africans to make responsible choices this winter to help reduce road deaths and ensure safer travel for everyone.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility. By making conscious, deliberate choices to prioritise safety, South Africans can drastically reduce the winter carnage and ensure that every road user arrives alive,” the corporation said.