The Western Cape recorded a 14% decrease in road fatalities over the 2026 Easter weekend, with provincial authorities crediting intensified law enforcement and increased visibility on major routes for the improvement.
According to Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku, 19 people died on the province’s roads during the holiday period, down from 22 deaths recorded over the same period last year.
While the decline signals progress, officials warn that dangerous behaviour behind the wheel and on foot continues to claim lives.
“This past weekend, I joined traffic officers at various roadblocks and was encouraged by the overall compliance from most motorists,” Sileku said.
“However, there were still some serious concerns, including drivers getting behind the wheel under the influence, bribing and assaulting traffic officers, and allowing unlicensed drivers to operate minibus taxis carrying passengers.”
Law enforcement operations ramped up significantly over the Easter period, with traffic officers stopping and checking 44,555 vehicles and making 149 arrests. Of those, 108 were for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Authorities also arrested two motorists in Citrusdal and Worcester for allegedly attempting to bribe officers, while another driver near Laingsburg was arrested on multiple charges, including assaulting a traffic officer and resisting arrest.
Sileku said the reduction in fatalities reflects the impact of stricter enforcement and improved driver behaviour.
“The decrease in fatalities is an encouraging result and shows that stronger enforcement by our traffic officers and better behaviour by road users are making a difference,” he said.
“This includes a 36.1% drop in driving under the influence of alcohol arrests, suggesting that constant visible policing is effectively discouraging risky behaviour.”
Despite the progress, officials remain concerned about persistent violations. The highest recorded blood alcohol level during the period was 1.46 mg/l in Vredendal, more than five times the legal limit.
Traffic authorities also removed 293 unroadworthy vehicles and identified 1,778 unlicensed vehicles on the roads.
Pedestrians and passengers remain the most vulnerable, accounting for the majority of fatalities. Nine pedestrians and seven passengers were among those who died, with several incidents involving individuals walking on high-speed roads, often under the influence of alcohol.
Operations continued despite difficult weather conditions on Good Friday, particularly along the N1 and in Cape Town. Authorities also deployed drone technology to monitor pedestrian activity and public transport hubs in a bid to improve enforcement and response times.
Although overall arrests dropped by 29%, officials say key risk factors, including speeding, reckless driving, failure to wear seatbelts and alcohol use, remain prevalent.
“Our high-visibility approach is working, but road safety is a shared responsibility,” said Maxine Bezuidenhout, Chief Director of Traffic Management.
“We urge residents and visitors to wear seatbelts, never drink and drive, avoid walking while intoxicated, and always follow the rules of the road.”
IOL News
Wendy Dondolo
iol.co.za