Authorities ramp up efforts to combat drunk driving as traffic volumes surge ahead of the Easter weekend, leading to multiple arrests and a clear message: safety comes first on our roads.
Image: KZN Department of Transport
As the first school term concluded and a large number of South Africans began their journeys for the long Easter weekend, authorities and advocacy groups issued a coordinated, urgent appeal for heightened vigilance and a fundamental change in road user behaviour to curb the holiday’s typically devastating accident toll.
The appeal comes as national arterial routes are expected to see a significant surge in traffic, prompting both the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and the non-profit ChildSafe South Africa to declare road safety a non-negotiable priority for every traveller.
“As our schools close and families begin their journeys, we must remember that road safety is a shared responsibility,” stated Zaitoon Rabaney, executive director of ChildSafe South Africa.
Rabaney called on every parent and caregiver to be the primary protectors of their 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 driveway,” he said.
ChildSafe and the RTMC specifically urged parents to enforce the correct use of child restraints and seatbelts for all young passengers, moving past mere compliance to make safety a consistent behaviour.
Their message advocates for the “one child, one seat” rule, emphasising that every child deserves a dedicated, functional restraint.
RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane pointed out the vulnerability of young people: “Children between the ages of five and 19 constituted 7.2% of people who died on the roads during the Easter period in 2025. This makes it imperative for caregivers to recognise that they must take extra efforts to instil the culture of safe road usage among children to protect their lives and reduce avoidable road injuries and fatalities.”
In KwaZulu-Natal, law enforcement ramped up operations immediately, focusing heavily on a major contributing factor to fatalities, drunk driving.
MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, announced stringent enforcement efforts, with Operation Shanela and the new #NenzaniLaEzweni campaign already yielding results.
“Last night (Friday), 27 motorists, including four females, were arrested for drunk driving in Umhlanga Rocks and Durban North, respectively,” MEC Duma confirmed in a statement, noting one individual was found to be 10 times over the legal blood alcohol limit.
Appearing in court on Monday, Duma said to ensure the successful prosecution of these drunk drivers, RTI is following the Criminal Procedure Act by working with nurses deployed by the Durban metro police and the KZN Department of Health.
The MEC said more than 80 roadblocks, focusing on drunk driving, will be executed under the auspices of the #NenzaniLaEzweni Operation as part of the Easter holidays and Passover weekend road safety plan.
“Our message has not changed and is very clear: drink and drive, and earn yourself a criminal record. You also stand a good chance of spending 48 hours in holding cells with hardened criminals.”
Beyond enforcement, a parallel effort is under way to leverage moral and community influence. Deputy Minister of Transport, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, engaged with the South African Council of Churches (SACC) in a strategic meeting to solidify their partnership ahead of the peak travel season.
“The moral authority and extensive community outreach of the church are pivotal in influencing behaviour and preserving lives on South African roads,” Hlengwa said, characterising the partnership as a crucial stride towards cultivating a culture of responsible road usage and shared accountability.
The SACC has committed to integrating road safety messages into sermons and community outreach, promoting a “Safe Easter Journey” pledge for congregants to commit to responsible driving behaviours, and implementing roadside awareness campaigns.
The combined message to all road users is clear: patience, restraint usage, strict adherence to speed limits, and zero tolerance for impaired or distracted driving are the cornerstones of a safe holiday.
Road users are also encouraged to take mandatory rest breaks, and passengers to exercise their “power of the fare” by refusing to board overloaded or visibly unroadworthy vehicles.
karen.singh@inl.co.za