The Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI) has welcomed the preliminary Easter road safety statistics released by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, which indicate a significant decline in both fatal crashes and fatalities over the 2026 Easter period.
According to the Department of Transport, road fatalities decreased by over 18%, while fatal crashes dropped by nearly 17% compared to the same period last year.
The RMI has commended government and law enforcement agencies for their intensified efforts, which included widespread roadblocks, increased visibility, and stricter enforcement on high-risk routes.
“Any reduction in road fatalities is encouraging and must be recognised,” says Ipeleng Mabusela, CEO of the RMI.
“The coordinated efforts by authorities, particularly around enforcement and awareness, are clearly having a positive impact.”
However, Mabusela cautions that while driver behaviour remains a critical factor, it should not be the sole focus of road safety interventions.
“While we acknowledge that human behaviour contributes significantly to road crashes, we cannot overlook the role that vehicle condition plays in overall road safety.
“A vehicle that is not roadworthy poses a serious risk, regardless of how responsible the driver may be,” he says.
With the national vehicle parc averaging 10.8 years, periodic vehicle testing was highlighted as been regularly touted by the RMI as a highly effective intervention to help reduce the estimated R205b annual cost of road crashes.
Mabusela notes that this requires a vehicle-first approach, particularly when you consider the largest sector of the car parc poses the highest risk segment, yet is the least regulated.
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This Easter period the Department reported that more than 120 vehicles were discontinued during the period due to defects rendering them unroadworthy.
“This highlights the ongoing challenge of poorly maintained vehicles on South Africa’s roads,” says Mabusela.
“The fact that vehicles are still being removed from our roads due to critical defects is a clear indication that more needs to be done to promote regular vehicle maintenance and compliance.”
The RMI continues to advocate for a more balanced road safety approach; one that places equal emphasis on responsible driver behaviour and vehicle roadworthiness.
“As we move beyond the Easter period and into the rest of the year, it is essential that motorists prioritise regular vehicle checks and maintenance.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility, and ensuring that vehicles are in a safe, roadworthy condition is a critical part of that commitment,” concludes Mabusela.
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