Santaco Hails Easter Road Safety Wins as Shift in Driver Behaviour Takes Hold

The 2025 Easter weekend has been hailed as a milestone moment for road safety in South Africa, with the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) praising the collective efforts that led to a notable drop in road accidents and fatalities.

Thanks to a multi-sectoral collaboration that included civil society organisations, law enforcement, government departments, and the taxi industry, the long weekend saw a significant improvement in road user behaviour and enforcement outcomes.

“The results of this Easter weekend show what we can achieve when every stakeholder, public and private, takes ownership of road safety. This is the spirit of Ubuntu in action on our roads,” said Santaco president Motlhabane Abnar Tsebe.

#ItBeginsWithYou: The Power of Shared Responsibility

At the heart of the road safety drive was the National Department of Transport’s #ItBeginsWithYou campaign, which encouraged individuals to take personal responsibility for road safety. Santaco has recognised this initiative as a key contributor to the success, alongside strong leadership and coordination by government and traffic authorities.

Santaco highlighted several contributing factors from within the taxi industry that helped foster a culture of safety:

• Drivers and commuters adhered to traffic regulations.

• A united stance against overloading.

• Hlokomela vehicle checks ensured roadworthiness.

• Expanded Hlokomela Road Safety Awareness campaigns.

• Strategic collaboration with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).

• Increased visibility and intervention from law enforcement.

• Consistent and professional conduct by taxi drivers and patrollers.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to our drivers and patrollers for their discipline and commitment to safe operations, and to our loyal commuters for their cooperation and continued support,” said Tsebe.

AA and Government Welcome Positive Trends

The Automobile Association (AA) also reported encouraging early data, suggesting a real shift in road user behaviour. According to the AA, while final statistics are still being compiled, early figures point to a substantial decrease in both collisions and fatalities — even though traffic volumes reached record highs for the past five years.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy also weighed in, applauding the involvement of diverse sectors in the road safety push. She credited not only law enforcement but also faith-based organisations, taverners associations, and public figures for amplifying the message.

“Through many voices sharing one message, we have reached all corners of our country,” Creecy said. “We hope this effort will be sustained beyond the Easter period and influence long-term road behaviour.”

Santaco affirmed its commitment to sustaining these gains and working with all stakeholders to ensure every journey on South Africa’s roads is a safe one.

With this Easter weekend setting a new benchmark, there is growing optimism that a long-term cultural shift is underway — one that puts responsibility, safety, and respect at the heart of every trip.

{Source: IOL}

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