Easter Road Safety Must Build on Progress

Statement by Kabelo Mogatosi MPL – DA Shadow MEC for Transport:

The Democratic Alliance believes the reduction in road deaths over the recent festive season demonstrates that focused enforcement and improved driver behaviour can save lives. This must now be strengthened through a clear and sustained Easter road safety plan that prioritises visibility, accountability, and consistency.

The Easter period remains one of the most dangerous times on Eastern Cape roads, with increased traffic volumes, long-distance travel, and higher risk behaviour combining to create conditions for avoidable tragedy. While recent festive season data has shown that progress is possible, that progress will be meaningless unless it is sustained through consistent enforcement and responsible road use.

For many families, Easter is meant to be a time of reunion and rest, yet too often it ends in loss. Communities across the province have seen the consequences of reckless driving, unroadworthy vehicles, and a lack of visible enforcement, particularly on major routes such as the N2, the R61, and the R75.

Law enforcement presence must be intensified on high-risk routes, with officers deployed in ways that deter dangerous behaviour. Drunk-driving enforcement must remain uncompromising, and roadblocks should be strategically placed and remain active throughout the Easter period. Public transport vehicles, including taxis and buses, must undergo strict roadworthiness checks to ensure passenger safety.

Technology must also play a greater role. The rollout of average speed over distance monitoring remains one of the most effective tools to reduce speeding on long-distance routes and should be prioritised without delay. Enforcement cannot be seasonal. It must be embedded as a permanent feature of the transport system.

These interventions are about protecting lives, reducing pressure on emergency and health services, and ensuring that people can travel with confidence and dignity.

Safer roads mean fewer families facing the trauma of preventable loss.

The people of the Eastern Cape deserve leadership that treats road safety as a continuous responsibility, not a seasonal campaign. This Easter must reflect a commitment to sustained enforcement, responsible driving, and a transport system that puts human life first.