AA concerned over almost 40% increase in Easter road fatalities

Road safety remains a national crisis and unless improved by not only focusing on intensive operations at specific times but also ongoing campaigns, fatalities on the country’s roads will not decrease.

This is according to the Automobile Association (AA) which was commenting on stats released after the Easter long weekend.

Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga announced that 225 people died on the country’s roads over the four-day weekend in 185 fatal crashes.

This is an almost 40% increase on the number of deaths recorded in 2022.

“Our belief has always been that intensive traffic law enforcement at specific times of the year will not change driver behaviour,” says AA spokesperson Layton Beard.

“Sustained and visible traffic law enforcement must be supported by road safety education in schools, and through awareness campaigns targeting motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.

“Sadly, these elements are conspicuously absent from our country’s road safety programme and must be prioritised going forward,” he says.

The association says the Department of Transport and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) must also work to improve road safety education in schools and implement better road safety campaigns throughout the year.