Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, together with Minister of Mobility Isaac Sileku, launched the 2026 Easter Road Safety Plan campaign on Friday, 27 March in Khayelitsha, in an effort to curb road fatalities. At least two people were arrested during the campaign for drunk driving.
The officials said the plan focuses on keeping residents and visitors safe by deploying more officers on the roads, using advanced traffic-monitoring technology, and targeting high-risk routes.
Zero tolerance for drunk driving in Western Cape
Sileku emphasised that there will be zero tolerance for drinking and driving, with the goal of reducing crashes and saving lives.
“Easter is a time for joy and making memories, and that starts with getting there safely. Our mission is simple: every resident and visitor must reach their destination safely. This Easter, let’s change the story on our roads and look out for one another. We are committed to halving road deaths and injuries, but we cannot do it alone. We need every road user to play their part,” said Sileku.
Winde urged road users to behave responsibly. He said road users have an obligation to respect the rules of the road, not only over the long Easter weekend but throughout the year.
“Let us all arrive safely at our destinations. Let us show respect for each other on our roads,” said Winde.
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Western Cape records 238 road fatalities since January
Sileku said between Thursday 1 January and Sunday 15 March, 238 people lost their lives on Western Cape roads. He said of these, 134 were pedestrians, 40 were passengers, and 39 were drivers. He said this represents a 1,25% decrease compared to the same period last year, which remains concerning and highlights ongoing road safety risks.
Pedestrians account for majority of road deaths
Sileku added that pedestrians account for more than half of these deaths, highlighting the urgent need for vigilance, especially in areas with poor visibility or risky conditions.
“Every life lost is a tragedy that could often be prevented. This Easter, I urge all road users to plan their journeys, take regular breaks, stay alert, and never drink and drive or walk while intoxicated. Please also look out for the most vulnerable on our roads — our pedestrians,” he said.
Road users called to respect traffic laws
Motorist David Ningiza from Mfuleni, described the campaign as a great initiative and urged motorists to obey the rules of the road. “Our problem is that we don’t follow the rules. They are there for our safety. Let’s stop drinking and driving, and speeding,” said Ningiza.
