Gauteng intensifies law enforcement, launching its festive road safety plan
With pedestrian deaths soaring and holiday traffic increasing, the province launches a hard-hitting campaign to curb festive season crashes.
The Gauteng provincial government has issued a firm warning to road users.
This as it launched its 2025 festive season road safety campaign on December 4 along Winnie Mandela Drive near Diepsloot.
The initiative, led by Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, together with Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Premier Panyaza Lesufi, comes as the province faces mounting pressure from increased mobility and a rising number of fatal crashes.
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This year’s campaign is anchored under the theme: E thoma ka wena. It starts with you, urging motorists, pedestrians, and public transport operators to take personal responsibility for safer behaviour on the roads.
Gauteng remains the country’s busiest road network, with 5.5 million registered vehicles, a figure Diale-Tlabela says is steadily increasing, and putting additional strain on law-enforcement capacity – particularly during the festive rush. “The reality is that more vehicles and more movement means higher risk. Behind every fatal crash is a family in pain. This festive season, we are calling on every road user to make safer choices. E thoma ka wena. It starts with you.”
One of the province’s biggest concerns remains pedestrian deaths, which account for more than half of all road fatalities recorded in Gauteng.
The MEC described the situation as a crisis, noting that pedestrian incidents spike sharply during the festive period. “We are enhancing visibility, enforcing speed limits, and ramping up awareness in high-risk areas because too many lives are being lost on foot.”
With millions expected to travel over the next few weeks, Diale-Tlabela urged long-distance motorists to avoid night-time driving, highlighting that the majority of fatal crashes occur after dark.
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She also warned that recent heavy rains have worsened road conditions and increased risks for drivers. “We advise road users to travel during daylight where possible, and to slow down on wet or damaged surfaces. Your safety is in your hands.”
The campaign will see intensified multi-disciplinary operations across Gauteng, targeting critical offences such as drunk driving, speeding, reckless and negligent driving, unroadworthy vehicles, overloading, pedestrian violations, and public transport compliance.
Road maintenance teams will remain on standby to respond to storm-related incidents and hazardous conditions throughout the holidays. “If you break the law, you will be stopped, checked, and held accountable. Our priority is simple: Every person must arrive home safely.”
The provincial government has called on communities, pedestrians, public transport operators, and private motorists to work together to curb road crashes and protect lives during one of the country’s busiest travel seasons.
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