Transport Minister Creecy reports 18% drop in Easter road fatalities

Transport MinisterBarbara Creecysaid 122 vehicles were discontinued for defects that rendered them unroadworthy, while 1 147 vehicles were impounded mainly for permit violations. “This progress gives us hope as we start the Easter peak travel period,” Creecy said on Saturday. A total of 321 roadblocks were held during the period, with 374 161 vehicles stopped and checked.” More than 500 drivers were arrested for drunk driving, 14 for speeding and 93 pedestrians were arrested for jaywalking on freeways.

Creecy said 291 road deaths had been recorded at the start of the long weekend – a significant decline from 356 during the same period in 2025. Overall, six provinces recorded decreases in fatalities: Gauteng, the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North West and the Eastern Cape. “Preliminary statistics indicate that the number of fatal crashes during the period declined from 306 in the same period in 2025 to 255 this year, representing a 16.7% decrease,” Creecy said.

“The number of fatalities has been reduced from 356 to 291, which represents an 18.3% decrease.” On Friday, Creecy launched the2026 Arrive AliveEaster Road Safety campaign under the theme ‘It Begins With Me’. High-risk routes identified by the minister include the N1, N2, N3 and N4, where authorities have increased both mobile and static checkpoints. Across the country, 321 roadblocks were set up, with more than 374 000 vehicles stopped and inspected.

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More than 500 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence. In KwaZulu-Natal, more than 2 582 motorists were charged with various traffic offences. Provincial transport MEC Siboniso Duma said 16 183 vehicles had been stopped for inspection between Thursday and Saturday. More than 3 483 law enforcement officers, supported by 105 national traffic police officers, were deployed across the province for the Easter holidays.

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