POLOKWANE – The Department of Transport says it is data-ready to manage the province’s festive season traffic with precision, following three years of scientifically gathered road-use data across all districts.

Through a partnership with Impact Catalyst, the department has developed and begun implementing a comprehensive road safety strategy aimed at reducing road fatalities and irregularities by 50% by the year 2030 – a key target aligned with the United Nations’ global road safety agenda.

Departmental head Stephen Matjena said data from the Road Safety Programme has identified that young adults contribute the highest number of fatal crashes, largely due to drunk and reckless driving, particularly along the N1, R81 and R71 routes.

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The R71 also records a worrying number of pedestrian-related accidents, he added.

“It depends on the season, but during the festive period or busy weeks, Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings and Monday mornings are the deadliest times on our roads, especially when major events or pilgrimages are underway,” Matjena said.

While the department recently deployed 160 new traffic officers with more still in training, Matjena said the new approach goes beyond manpower. “We’ve designed a flexible, data-based strategy that allocates the right expertise to the right areas.” Sixteen senior officers recently attended a skills transfer workshop in Kenya, enhancing their capacity for integrated responses. Impact Catalyst head Mia Romijn added that collaboration with the Departments of Health and Education now ensures road emergencies are met with multi-sectoral support.

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“Unlike before, when officers knocked off at 17:00, they’re now visible around the clock conducting roadblocks, stop-and-searches and using blue-light patrols with the latest technology,” Matjena said. He also warned officers against bribery. “Taking a bribe is equal to having blood on your hands,” he cautioned.

Technology takes the wheel

Matjena said the department is finalising key technology upgrades to strengthen law enforcement, including:

• Advanced average-speed cameras for high-risk routes.

• Integration with Aarto to enforce a traffic demerit system.

• Ethos scan devices for on-the-spot speed detection.

“Technology offers precision and reduces human interference – and with it, the risk of bribery,” he said, adding that education and awareness campaigns remain the most powerful tools for changing driver behaviour.

Romijn noted that Limpopo’s initiative is the first of its kind in South Africa. A formal handover ceremony will be held on Tuesday at Park Inn by Radisson Polokwane.