fb
AA Vehicle Rates Calculator

Rates Calculator

Roadside Assistance

Roadside Assistance

Emergency Services

Emergency Services

AA Auto Centre

AA Auto Centre

AA Financial Services

AA Financial Services

AA Travel

AA Travel

Call me backCALL ME BACK

I need help choosing a product

"*" indicates required fields

*
MOBILE NUMBER *
PLEASE SELECT A PRODUCT

Transport Minister Blade Nzimande released the Easter road death toll today announcing a shocking 14% increase in road fatalities over the Easter period from 29 March to 9 April 2018, over the same period in 2017. This period coincides with national school holidays.

The release of these numbers must serve as an urgent indication to government to bring all role-players in road safety into the fold to deal more effectively with this carnage.

According to the Minister 510 people died on the country’s roads over this period, 61 more deaths than in 2017. There was also an increase in the number of vehicles involved in fatal crashes over the extended Easter period. In 2017 this number ended on 349 crashes. In 2018 this number ballooned to 430.

A very worrying figure is the sharp increase in the number of pedestrians killed over the period, up from 33.8% in 2017 to 37.3% this year.

It must be remembered that the fatality numbers may increase after a 30-day waiting period after 9 April. This is a customary period when calculating final numbers to account for all road-related deaths during the dates under review.

These figures paint an extremely bleak picture. While there are commitments to bring these numbers down drastically, the opposite is happening. We remain of the view that a more concerted, cohesive approach, involving all role-players in road safety in South Africa must be considered as a matter of urgency. Dedicated and consistent actions are needed to deal with the deaths of pedestrians.

Pedestrians are the most vulnerable road user group in our country. As road safety advocates we believe education with this group is urgently required as is a change in driver attitude to sharing the road with those most at risk. We also believe that dealing more effectively with pedestrian safety will greatly reduce the number of fatalities we see annually, not only festive periods, but during the year as well.

Another concern is the issue of effective policing compared to policing which focusses on processes. We acknowledge that the Minister has a massive challenge ahead in this regard, but any initiative to reduce these numbers will be welcomed.

Too many available traffic law enforcement officials are still stationed at static sites checking for expired licence discs and driving licenses. This, in our opinion, while important, will not effectively reduce the number of fatalities. All available officials should be utilised better in the interests of road safety and reducing these horrific numbers. We hope this will be a key priority for the Minister to implement.

For more information please visit www.aa.co.za or aasa.mobi, or contact:

Automobile Association of South Africa (AA)

AA Public Affairs

011 799 1126 or 083 386 6954

press@aasa.co.za

Tools & Calculators
What is your Emergency?
The Automobile Association of South Africa

For over 90 years, we’ve provided you with roadside rescue and security, so you know you can rely on the Automobile Association day and night.

We aim to empower you as a road user and add value to your life with our products and services.

AA Responds to Fuel Levy Increase: Calls for Transparency and Structural Reform

The Automobile Association (AA) notes the announcement by the Minister of Finance to increase the General Fuel Levy (GFL) by 16 cents per litre for petrol and 15 cents per litre for diesel, effective 4 June 2025. The Minister described this adjustment—the first in three years—as the sole new tax proposal for the 2025/26 fiscal year, citing inflationary pressures as the reason for the hike. While acknowledging the government’s fiscal constraints, the AA warns that this increase will have...

LOSS OF R313 MILLION TRANSPORT GRANT A BLOW TO ROAD USERS, LOW-INCOME COMMUTERS, AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE – AA

The Automobile Association (AA) is concerned about the City of Johannesburg's forfeiture of a R313 million public transport grant due to ongoing operational failures within the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. This is a significant setback for the city's transport infrastructure and highlights the deepening structural and governance challenges in managing Johannesburg's public transport systems. Originally earmarked to support and expand the Rea Vaya network, the lost funding carries...

Collaborative Action Turns the Tide on Road Fatalities

Easter 2025 Road Safety Gains Welcomed - AA The Automobile Association (AA) welcomes the significant reduction in vehicle collisions and fatalities recorded over the Easter 2025 period. These positive outcomes underscore the effectiveness of early planning, consistent law enforcement, and strong partnerships in saving lives on South African roads. According to official statistics, road crashes decreased by 32.5% while fatalities declined by 45.6% compared to Easter 2024 – making the lowest...