SANTACO welcomes festive season road safety statistics, yet calls for continued vigilance

The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has welcomed the decrease in road fatalities following the recently released Mid-Term Review of the 2025 Festive Season Road Safety statistics by the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy.

The data reveals a notable 20.9% decrease in fatal crashes and a corresponding 20.8% reduction in fatalities during the initial half of the festive season.

On Friday, Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy reported that this year's road fatalities have declined by just over 20% midway through the country's 2025 festive season.

However, the minister cautioned that the improvement remains fragile as peak holiday travel lies ahead.

The minister indicated that this improvement underscores the impact of coordinated law enforcement, enhanced education initiatives, and collaborative efforts among various stakeholders to curb road mishaps.

However, SANTACO spokesperson, Rebecca Phala, said the taxi organisation remains acutely aware that the incessant loss of life on South Africa's roads is a pressing concern, particularly as peak travel days approach.

"SANTACO, as the principal provider of public transport in the country, recognises its critical role in ensuring the safety of its commuters. Through the proactive Hlokomela Road Safety Campaign, the council promotes fundamental practices including vehicle roadworthiness, driver discipline, effective fatigue management, and strict compliance with traffic regulations," said Phala.

Phala added that safety on the roads necessitates shared accountability from all road users, adding that the tragic prevalence of pedestrian fatalities further strengthens the call for ongoing behavioural change and community-oriented road safety education.

"As the festive season progresses, SANTACO urges taxi operators, drivers, and passengers alike to exercise patience, responsibility, and caution on the roads, emphasising that every journey must conclude safely. Looking beyond the festive season, SANTACO remains committed to collaborating with government entities and road safety partners to protect lives and enhance road safety protocols across the board.

Presenting the mid-term review of the 2025 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign on Friday, Creecy said preliminary data for December 1 to 16 shows a 20.9% reduction in fatal crashes and a 20.8% decrease in fatalities compared with the same period last year.

“We are seeing a decrease in the number of fatalities and remain positive about our current efforts,” Creecy said.