South Africa heads into one of its busiest travel periods with new road safety data painting a concerning picture. According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), road deaths increased to 12,172 in 2024, up from 11,833 in 2023, while fatal crashes rose to 10,339 over the same period. Pedestrians remain the most at risk, accounting for 45% of total fatalities, and children aged 0-14 make up 10.2% of deaths.
Early 2024/25 festive season figures show 1,502 deaths from 1,234 crashes, a 5.3% increase from the previous year. As in previous years, human behaviour, including fatigue, speeding and loss of control, contributed to an overwhelming majority of incidents. South Africa’s overall road-traffic fatality stands at 2.45 per 100,000 people, far above the global average of 6.3.
With millions preparing for long-distance travel, experts warn that households often underestimate the most common risk: long hours behind the wheel, children causing in-car distractions, late-night departures after work, and heavy traffic around shopping centres and holiday routes.
Practical steps can make a meaningful difference. Taking breaks every two hours, rotating drivers, pre-packing snacks and entertainment for children, slowing down in parking areas, and avoiding driving while exhausted or under the influence of alcohol all help reduce risk. Vehicles can complement these behaviours. Many cars now feature lane-support technologies, such as Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), which alert drivers to unintentional lane drift and help maintain vehicle control on long journeys. Features like ISOFIX child-seat anchor points, curtain and front-centre airbags, and seatbelt pre-tensioners provide additional protection for passengers in the event of sudden stops or collisions.
“Festive travel is a time of joy, connection and long-awaited moments with friends and family says Floyd Ramabulana, Head of Marketing, GWM South Africa. “But extended hours on the road, holiday distractions and driver fatigue remain the biggest contributors to crashes during this period. As a safety-minded automotive partner, we encourage all motorists to plan ahead, rest regularly, and make use of every available tool to support attentive driving. Modern vehicles now offer technologies that actively support driver awareness and control, helping families arrive safely this festive.”
Practical steps that can make a difference:
- Managing Fatigue on long trips
Fatigue remains one of the most underrated but deadly contributors to festive-season accidents. Many families leave at night to “beat traffic”, but the 22h00-04h00 window is when cognitive performance is at its lowest and reaction time is slowest.
Tip: Avoid overnight travel where possible. Plan breaks, rotate drivers and stop immediately if concentration drops.
- Travelling with Children and reducing in-car distraction
Parents frequently report the same pattern during long trips: siblings fighting, passing snacks to the backseat, turning to check on toddlers, or reaching across seats to settle an argument. Each glance away from the road lengthens reaction time by critical milliseconds.
Tip: Set “travel routines”, i.e. charged screens, packed snacks and readily available comfort items before leaving. If a child needs attention, pull over in a safe spot rather than multitasking at the wheel
- Holiday shopping, Malls and Parking Areas
December brings dense crowds around malls, filling stations and holiday towns. These spaces create a high collision risk due to pedestrians, taxis, trolleys, tight bays and children weaving through parked cars.
Tip: Slow down drastically in parking zones, avoid reversing quickly, and always double-check blind spots.
- Leaving social events late at night
Evening gatherings, concerts and family functions often end after midnight. Visibility drops, roads quieten and drivers may be tired or impaired. Drivers are encouraged not to underestimate their routes.
Tip: Arrange a designated river, carpool with friends or family. If you must drive, keep speeds conservative and stay alert to pedestrians who may also be walking home late.
- Towing trailers, caravans or luggage pods
Heavy loads alter stopping distance, stability and vehicle handling. Many holiday accidents involve badly secured trailers, under-inflated tyres or poor visibility. This holiday adjustspeeds according to road conditions, and ensure vehicles are equipped to handle the additional load safely. Certain vehicles include features like trailer stability assist, hill descent control, or adaptive braking, which can provide extra peace of mind on long trips.
Tip: Inspect your vehicle and trailer tyres, lights and tow connections before departure. Reduce speed when towing and allow braking distances.
South Africa’s rising road fatality numbers reflect households, parents, breadwinners and children whose journeys never reached their destination. As millions head towards holiday spots and family homes, small decision can dramatically reduce risk. To support safer travel, GWM South Africa is offering pre-holiday vehicle safety checks at dealerships nationwide. These checks include tyres, brakes, batteries, lights, fluid levels and towing setups – items that often fail during long-distance travel. The service is open to help households travel with more peace of mind during a high-risk period.
About GWM
GWM South Africa is the official distributor of GWM, HAVAL, ORA and TANK vehicles, offering a dynamic range across the SUV, bakkie, electric, and 4×4 segments. Backed by a global presence in over 170 markets, GWM is committed to delivering smart, reliable and future-forward mobility tailored to South African lifestyles.
For further information, visit www.gwm.co.za
