Western Cape ramps up road safety enforcement as holiday traffic surges

Road safety enforcement across the Western Cape has intensified as holiday return traffic reaches peak levels, with authorities reporting dozens of arrests, thousands of fines and a renewed warning about dangerous behaviour on the province’s roads.

Between December 29, 2025 and January 4, 2026, Provincial Traffic Services made 88 arrests, the majority of them — 65 — for driving under the influence of alcohol. More than 350 speeding offences were recorded during the same period, with the highest speed measured at 171 km/h in a 120 km/h zone.

In an effort to curb risky driving and promote safer travel, traffic officials conducted 180 integrated roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints and speed control operations across the province. More than 36,000 vehicles were stopped and checked, resulting in over 9,000 fines for a range of violations, including offences linked to driver behaviour and vehicle fitness.

Despite the heightened enforcement, the Western Cape Mobility Department recorded 23 fatal crashes during the reporting period, leading to 25 deaths on provincial roads. The figures come as traffic volumes remain high, with residents and visitors returning from holiday destinations both within and outside the province.

Pedestrians and motorcyclists accounted for a significant portion of the fatalities. Of the 25 people who lost their lives, 12 were pedestrians and six were motorcyclists, underscoring the ongoing risks faced by road users outside of vehicles.

Western Cape Mobility Minister Isaac Sileku said enforcement alone was not enough to prevent further loss of life, stressing that behaviour change remained critical. “Every fatality on our roads is one too many. While our enforcement teams continue to work tirelessly across the province, road safety ultimately depends on the choices each road user makes. Speeding, drinking and driving, and disregarding the rules place lives at risk, not only your own, but those of innocent road users. We remain hopeful that with patience, vigilance and mutual respect, we can still prevent further tragedies on Western Cape roads,” Sileku said.

Chief Director for Traffic Management Maxine Bezuidenhout echoed concerns about vulnerable road users and urged greater caution during peak travel periods. She said pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists remained among the most at risk on the province’s roads, calling on pedestrians to remain visible and alert, and encouraging riders to wear protective gear, stay visible and ride defensively in heavy traffic.

As the festive season travel period continues, authorities say proactive enforcement and public awareness campaigns will remain in place, with officials urging all road users to take personal responsibility to help ensure that everyone reaches their destination safely.

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Cape Argus