Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has called on motorists to remain calm and obey traffic laws as traffic volumes increase on national roads ahead of the Christmas and New Year break.
Creecy warned that moving traffic violations, particularly speeding and illegal overtaking, remain the leading causes of serious and fatal crashes during the festive season. Overtaking on barrier lines and blind rises has been identified as a major contributor to head-on collisions.
“Speeding significantly reduces a driver’s reaction time and increases the severity of crashes,” Creecy said.
She confirmed that traffic authorities have intensified enforcement, with the Road Traffic Management Corporation reporting thousands of fines issued for speeding since the start of the festive period. Several motorists have also been arrested for travelling at excessive speeds.
SANRAL traffic monitoring stations have recorded high traffic volumes on major routes, with thousands of vehicles passing through per hour during peak periods.
Creecy urged road users to plan their trips carefully, obey speed limits, avoid drinking and driving, and take regular rest breaks to reduce fatigue.
She added that motorists who disregard traffic laws should expect visible policing and stricter action as the holiday rush continues.
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