Central SA
Easter road safety campaign ramps up as traffic volumes surge on major routes─── ZENANDE MPAME 15:19 Wed, 01 Apr 2026
Authorities are calling on every driver, passenger, and pedestrian to take ownership of their conduct on the roads this Easter weekend.
Traffic volumes are expected to surge on key corridors. Officials are urging road users to plan routes, avoid peak travel times, and prioritise safety at all times.
High-risk routes, including the N1, N2, N3, and N4, will see intensified policing through mobile and static checkpoints, supported by the national traffic police. Authorities will also target pedestrian behaviour, particularly along highways, where pedestrians account for nearly half of all road deaths.
As the 2026 Easter road safety campaign was launched, preliminary data for the period 1 January to 15 March indicate the lowest number of fatalities in six years.
The number of crashes in the period decreased by 11% compared to the same period in 2025. Every province has seen a decrease in these numbers.
“This progress was not accidental; it is the direct result of coordinated law enforcement, strategic partnerships with civil society, and a shift in the collective consciousness of our road users,” said transport minister Barbara Creecy.
“However, we cannot rest on these laurels. Our mandate is clear: to ensure that every South African who sets out on a journey returns home safely.”
For the Easter period, authorities have reaffirmed the campaign theme, “It begins with me”, calling for personal accountability as more than 80% of crashes are attributed to human behaviour.
Community safety, roads, and transport MEC Jabu Mbalula officially launched the 2026 Easter road safety campaign in Botshabelo on Tuesday (31/3), marking the start of heightened efforts to curb road crashes during one of South Africa’s busiest travel periods.
The campaign focuses on raising awareness about responsible road use as traffic volumes increase over the Easter holidays. It includes intensified law enforcement operations, roadblocks, and collaboration among various stakeholders to promote safer driving behaviour.
“As we travel to church or visit our loved ones, we must ensure that vehicles are roadworthy and that drivers are in the right state to be on the road,” said Mbalula.
“We will also be drawing in the road management cooperation police into some of our roads, especially from the northern part of the Free State, looking at roads like the N1, N3, N8, and the N6.”
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