Western Cape sees record traffic as festive holiday season ends
Road traffic volumes are expected to return to normal levels from this coming week, following a significant increase during the festive period.
The Western Cape, in particular, experienced a marked rise in traffic on national roads, especially the N1 through the Huguenot Tunnel.
The festive peak saw a surge in travellers returning from their holiday destinations, resulting in some of the busiest roads the region has seen in recent years.
South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) Regional Manager Randall Cable said the period from 1 December 2024 to 5 January 2025 showed a steady increase in traffic throughout the Christmas and New Year periods.
Cable said that increased impatience and fatigue, combined with the density of traffic, can lead to dangerous driving behaviour.
"The combination of increased traffic, impatience to get home, and fatigue after the holiday period can lead to dangerous driving behaviour," said a spokesperson for the traffic department.
"We urge all drivers to be mindful of their actions on the road."
According to the Western Cape Department of Mobility, reckless and negligent driving continues to be a leading cause of road accidents and fatalities during the peak travel season.
Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku's own close call during the holiday period served as a reminder of the dangers posed by such driving behaviour.
Sileku narrowly avoided being involved in a serious accident when a reckless driver on the N1 between Three Sisters and Beaufort West nearly caused a collision on 3 January 2025.
Spokesperson Muneera Allie explained the driver, overtaking multiple vehicles and forcing others off the road, was later tracked down and apprehended.
“The individual was found to be travelling at an alarming speed of 182 km/h in a 120 km/h zone. The driver was arrested for excessive speeding, a serious offence that endangers everyone on the road,” she said.
MEC Sileku expressed deep concern over the incident, reiterating the Western Cape Government's zero-tolerance stance on reckless driving.
“The incident is a stern reminder of the dangers posed by irresponsible behaviour on our roads. Reckless and negligent driving will not be tolerated in the Western Cape, particularly at a time when so many are travelling back home during the holiday season,” he said.
In addition to excessive speeding, pedestrian deaths continue to be a significant concern for road safety across South Africa.
Arrive Alive spokesperson, Johan Jonck, highlighted the alarming trend that over 40% of road fatalities involve pedestrians.
“To lower road deaths, we need to focus on pedestrian fatalities and the wearing of seatbelts,” Jonck said.
The Western Cape Government expressed concern over the 106 fatal crashes and 122 fatalities recorded on municipal and provincial roads during the festive period from 1 December 2024 to 3 January 2025.
While this figure represents an improvement compared to the same period last year, it underscores the ongoing need for enhanced road safety efforts.
Among the fatalities, passengers, pedestrians, and drivers were the most affected, with pedestrians accounting for 51 of the fatalities.
Notably, 21 of these incidents were hit-and-run cases, highlighting a further challenge for law enforcement and road safety campaigns.
In addition to the rising fatalities, a total of 7,448 people were arrested across South African roads for various offences during the festive season, including drunken driving, speeding, and attempted bribery.
The arrests were made between 1 December 2024 and 1 January 2025, according to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).
The highest breath alcohol level recorded during this period was a staggering 2.47 mg/1000 ml on the R61, underlining the persistent challenges posed by intoxicated driving.
Other traffic violations also saw significant enforcement.
As of 1 January 2025, a total of 1,157,032 vehicles had been stopped and checked by Road Traffic Authorities as part of the festive season enforcement plan aimed at promoting safety on national roads.
Authorities issued 408,783 written charges for various traffic violations and discontinued 6,034 vehicles from the road.
The highest speed recorded during the period was an alarming 209 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in Limpopo on 17 December, highlighting the ongoing dangers of excessive speeding.