22/06/2026
MEDIA RELEASE
To : All News Editors
Issued : 22 June 2026
Attention : News Reporters / Transport Reporters /Newswires
PEDESTRIAN FATALITIES REDUCED IN SOUTH AFRICAN ROADS ACCORDING TO RTMC PRELIMINARY DATA
The number of pedestrians who are dying on South African roads has
been reduced by an encouraging 13 percent this year compared to the same period
in 2025.
According to preliminary data collected and analysed by the Road Traffic Management
Corporation, the number of pedestrian fatalities in the period January to May has
dropped from 2 214 last year to 1 928 compared to the same period this year. This is
286 lives saved or 13 percent reduction in pedestrian fatalities.
In May, the country also experienced the third lowest month decrease in pedestrian
fatalities in five months. The number of pedestrians who died in May were 358
compared to 390 in April.
All provinces recorded a decrease in pedestrian fatalities between April and May
except the Free State, Limpopo and the Western Cape. However relative to the total
number of road fatalities, pedestrians still contribute the highest portion. The overall
percentage of pedestrian fatalities for the first five months of the year is 44% compared
to 46% last year.
The top ten municipalities that contribute the highest percentage of pedestrian
fatalities are the City of Cape Town, eThekwini, City of Joburg, Ekurhuleni, City of
Tshwane, Nkangala, Bojanala, OR Tambo district municipality, uMgungundlovu and
Ehlanzeni. About three in five (64%) pedestrians die in the first five municipalities.
Road safety engagements and law enforcement operations are being stepped in all
provinces to save more pedestrian lives.
The RTMC, together with the national and provincial department of transport is
currently running a winter road safety campaign under the theme - See and Be Seen:
Navigating South Africa’s winter roads together - to raise awareness and educate road
users.
The campaign seeks to raise awareness about the hazards of using the road in winter
which include dense fog, delayed sunrises and early sunset, high risk veld fires, black
ice and snow as well as vulnerable scholar transport.
Pedestrian are advised that, they can enhance their safety by avoiding walking on
highways and using pedestrian bridges when crossing busy roads. Wearing bright or
reflective clothing also helps to improve the visibility of pedestrians when walking in
fog or at night.
