Arrests for traffic-related offences have increased by more than 16% since the start of December as law enforcement agencies intensify operations during the festive season. According to the preliminary report of the 365 Days Arrive Alive Road Safety Campaign for the 2025 festive season, arrests for violating traffic laws rose by 16.2% compared to the same period last year. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy released the report for the period December 1 to 16 during a media briefing in Cape Town on Friday.
Government agencies, including the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), South African Police Service (SAPS), traffic police and provincial partners, conducted 639 roadblocks nationwide. During these operations, 714 371 vehicles were stopped and checked. A total of 168 427 traffic fines were issued, while 3 695 unroadworthy vehicles were discontinued from service.
In addition, 2 552 public transport vehicles were impounded for violating operating permit conditions. The report also revealed that 53 pedestrians were arrested for jaywalking on freeways, while 26 motorists were arrested for attempting to bribe traffic officers. “Pedestrians remain our priority concern over this period, and we have noticed fewer transgressions from this category,” Creecy said, noting a 57.9% decrease in pedestrian arrests.
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She added that arrests for speeding decreased by 7.8%, which she attributed to increased law enforcement visibility. Among the most serious offences recorded, a female motorist in Gauteng was caught travelling at 193km/h in a 120km/h zone. In the Eastern Cape, a man was arrested after recording a breath alcohol level of 2.38mg per 1 000ml, ten times above the legal limit. Creecy said targeted deployment of national traffic police in high-risk provinces and corridors, informed by historical data and real-time monitoring, had helped improve enforcement.
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