• Over 100 crashes kill 122 people on Western Cape roads during the December holidays.

• Most deaths happen at night with passengers and pedestrians being the main victims.

The Western Cape government says too many people died on its roads during the December holidays, even though numbers were lower than in 2023.

Between 1 December and 3 January, 106 crashes killed 122 people on the province’s roads.

Western Cape MEC for Mobility Isaac Sileku said families are suffering because of bad driving.

“No family should have to face the pain of losing a loved one due to a preventable road crash. This festive season, we have intensified traffic visibility and enforcement measures to safeguard all road users. However, personal responsibility remains the cornerstone of road safety,” said Sileku.

Most people who died were passengers and pedestrians, followed by drivers.

The Western Cape Metro and N1 route saw the most deaths, with most crashes happening between 10pm and 1am.

“As many take to the roads during this time, let us remember that behind the wheel, we hold not just our lives but those of our loved ones and fellow road users in our hands. Help us help you to arrive safely home – together we can prevent tragic incidents and make road safety everyone’s responsibility,” said Sileku.

Lulamile Rhafuza, 50, who drives in Cape Town, feels for families who lost loved ones.

“A lot of families didn’t have Christmas because they had lost their loved ones on the road. The government can put tips for road users, but if road users don’t follow the rules or tips, the sad reality is that we will continue losing our members on the road,” said Rhafuza.

He begged drivers to follow road rules and stop drinking and driving.

The province’s traffic officers are working to make roads safer by checking tired drivers and giving safety tips to truck drivers.

Pictured above: Highway patrol officers.

Source: Isaac Sileku/X