South Africa has seen a notable reduction in pedestrian deaths, with preliminary data from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) indicating a 13% decrease in fatalities during the first five months of 2026.

According to the RTMC, pedestrian fatalities dropped from 2 214 between January and May 2025 to 1 928 during the same period in 2026, resulting in 286 lives saved.

The data further shows a continued downward trend in May 2026, when 358 pedestrians lost their lives, compared to 390 in April, marking the third consecutive monthly decline in pedestrian fatalities.

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All provinces recorded a decrease between April and May, except the Free State, Limpopo and the Western Cape.

RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane said that despite the improvement, pedestrians remain the most vulnerable road users in South Africa.

“Despite the improvement, pedestrians remain the most vulnerable group of road users, accounting for the largest share of road fatalities. Pedestrian deaths represented 44% of all road fatalities during the first five months of 2026, down from 46% during the corresponding period last year,” Zwane said.

He added that the highest number of pedestrian fatalities were recorded in major municipalities, including the City of Cape Town, eThekwini, the City of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and the City of Tshwane, as well as Nkangala, Bojanala, OR Tambo District Municipality, uMgungundlovu and Ehlanzeni.

Nearly two-thirds of pedestrian deaths occurred in the first five municipalities on the list, according to the RTMC.

In response, the RTMC, together with national and provincial transport departments, has intensified road safety awareness campaigns and law enforcement operations across the country.

The corporation has urged continued vigilance from both motorists and pedestrians to sustain the downward trend and further reduce road fatalities.