CAPE TOWN – As the Easter travel period begins, ChildSafe South Africa and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) warn that unsafe road behaviour puts children and other travellers at risk.
With schools having closed on Friday and a significant increase in traffic volumes expected on national arterial routes, both organisations have issued a warning ahead of the Easter travel period.
Road safety, they stressed, must remain the primary focus for all road users to ensure the well-being of families and children travelling to holiday destinations.
According to RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane, children from the age of five and up accounted for 7.2% of road deaths during the 2025 Easter period, underlining the need for increased vigilance.
“This makes it imperative for caregivers to take extra effort to instil a culture of safe road use among children,” Zwane said.
Driver responsibility and road safety compliance
Motorists, including public transport operators, were urged to strictly adhere to road safety laws.
Authorities warned against speeding, dangerous overtaking and distracted driving, noting that these behaviours remain leading contributors to fatal crashes. A zero-tolerance approach to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs was reiterated.
The organisations also called for greater patience and courtesy among road users, encouraging drivers to take regular rest breaks on long journeys and maintain calm environments inside vehicles to reduce distractions.
As families reach their destinations, attention should shift to pedestrian safety, particularly in rural or poorly lit areas. Parents were urged to ensure children remain visible and supervised during the final stages of travel.
Child restraint and overloading concerns
ChildSafe SA executive director Zaitoon Rabaney said road safety must be treated as a shared responsibility, urging parents and caregivers to prioritise the protection of children.
“This is not just about following the law; it is about making the active choice to ensure that every child is properly restrained and that every vehicle is safe before it leaves the rank or the driveway,” she said.
The organisations stressed that correct use of child restraints remains one of the most effective ways to prevent serious injuries and fatalities.
Children under three should be secured in appropriate car seats, while older children must wear seatbelts correctly.
Overloading, particularly during peak travel periods, was highlighted as a major risk, with authorities reinforcing the “one child, one seat” rule.
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