East London, South Africa – The Eastern Cape is grappling with a catastrophic surge in road fatalities over the recent holiday period, with over 200 deaths recorded between 1 and 28 December 2024. This grim figure represents more than double the 97 fatalities reported during the same period in 2023, prompting urgent calls for stricter enforcement and a renewed focus on driver responsibility.
MEC for transport, Xolile Nqatha, confirmed the alarming statistics, highlighting the N2 and R61 as particularly dangerous routes, accounting for 42 and over 21 deaths respectively. The sheer scale of the increase has left authorities scrambling to understand the contributing factors and implement effective countermeasures.
Eastern Cape transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose shed light on the underlying issues during a recent media engagement. He pointed to a disturbing trend of head-on collisions, even on straight stretches of road with no apparent obstructions. “We’ve seen a lot of head-on collisions that have been happening on some of the national and better-maintained routes and at times on stretches that are as straight as anything, with no clear obstructions. And, of course, the issue of alcohol has been a major factor as well,” Binqose stated.
The sheer number of drunk driving arrests further underscores the gravity of the situation. “The fact that they have arrested no fewer than 500 people for drunk driving on the roads across the province in a period of just 28 days is also telling,” he added. While these arrests may have prevented further accidents, Binqose lamented the tragic consequences for those who were not apprehended. “We may never know how many accidents we have saved by that, but, unfortunately, some were not as lucky [as those] arrested, and they ended up causing accidents that have claimed lives and left many handicapped.”
Binqose highlighted a significant shift in the severity of accidents compared to the previous year. “The difference between 2024 and 2023 is that the biggest accident they had in 2023 in the province was the one that claimed eight lives, as compared with 2024, where the province has had no fewer than two accidents that have claimed more than 10 lives,” he explained.
Two particularly devastating incidents stand out: a collision near Cradock involving an SUV and a minibus taxi, resulting in 14 fatalities; and a head-on collision on the N2 near Dutywa, claiming 12 lives. “These head-on collisions mean that there is a lot that still needs to be done. We need to do an introspection, and the government needs to check if the drivers that we are producing to be on our roads are of quality as well,” Binqose stressed.
He pointed to a Newzroom Afrika report detailing a taxi driver’s admission to overtaking multiple vehicles, leading to a head-on collision, thankfully without fatalities. This incident, however, serves as a cautionary tale. “The fact that we have seen so many head-on collisions means that there may have been an error of judgement on the drivers overtaking where they are not supposed to,” Binqose explained. “You can’t help but question the understanding of the rules of the road by these drivers who continue to do that.”
Binqose advocated for stricter driver’s licence testing and a greater emphasis on driver education, particularly regarding overtaking on double-barrier lines. He emphasised that this is not solely an Eastern Cape problem, but a national issue requiring a concerted effort to improve road safety across the country.
With the anticipated increase in traffic as holidaymakers return, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) is stepping in, focusing on the Amathole district, identified as a hotspot for fatal crashes. RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane noted a concerning trend: “Statistics show that most of these crashes involved public transport vehicles that had travelled long distances without sufficient rest,” he said. The RTMC plans to collaborate with traditional leaders and public transport operators to address this issue.
Zwane also highlighted the disproportionate number of fatal crashes occurring at night. “Statistics show that 37.6% of fatal crashes occur between 6pm and 1am, with pedestrians often being the victims,” he warned, urging motorists to plan their journeys carefully and avoid night driving. Law enforcement agencies are increasing their presence and focusing on public transport to minimise further tragedies. The high number of fatalities serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved road safety measures and a collective responsibility to prevent future tragedies.
