Save Lives This Easter Weekend
Affinity Rescue encourages safe driving tactics and road safety habits for all South Africans this Easter.
2021’s Easter Weekend resulted in 189 crashes and 235 deaths. 35% of those killed were pedestrians. Nonetheless, 2021 was remarkably better than previous years. The number of traffic accidents in 2021 fell by 2.1% compared to 2019. The number of deaths was also 9.6% lower. 2020 figures were not considered because South Africa was under hard lockdown and travel was restricted.
How To Travel Safe During Easter
Going away is good for the soul. Especially when you go on road trips with friends and family. However, all travellers must ensure to make responsible choices. We must all decide to protect ourselves and our loved ones from danger.
Easter weekend is popular for its exceptionally high number of motor vehicle accidents and road fatalities. Emergency medical response units and treating facilities are under more pressure at that time of the year. Nobody wants to end Family Day with a death notice or a new disability.
Here are some important highway factors to note if you are travelling this Easter:
- The traffic volumes along major roads leading out of Gauteng and back are higher over the Easter weekend.
- The N1 north to Limpopo, the N3 towards Kwa-Zulu Natal and the N4 towards Mpumalanga are busier.
- The N3 tends to show the highest volume of traffic – with 151 143 vehicles travelling through this route.
- The N1/N4 follow thereafter with a total of 120 573 vehicles passing through tollgates between Gauteng, Limpopo and the North West.
- The N1 south between Gauteng, Free State and the Western Cape recorded 64 001 vehicles in 2021.
- 14 864 vehicles were registered on the N2 in KwaZulu-Natal over Easter 2021.
Always ensure to stick to the following precautions:
- Do not drink and walk.
- Do not jaywalk.
- Do not drink and drive.
- Exercise increased caution when crossing the road at dangerous intersections.
- Travel with caution around informal settlements.
- Do not walk or cross on highways.
- Ensure all car headlights work and that you are wearing visible clothing at night.
According to the Arrive Alive Easter 2021 figures, 189 crashes were recorded. This led to a total of 235 fatalities nationwide. Here are the provincial figures
Province |
Number of Crashes |
Number of Fatalities |
| Eastern Cape | 22 | 27 |
| Free State | 8 | 13 |
| Gauteng | 30 | 36 |
| KZN | 42 | 54 |
| Limpopo | 27 | 34 |
| Mpumalanga | 15 | 18 |
| Northern Cape | 6 | 7 |
| North West | 15 | 20 |
| Western Cape | 24 | 26 |
How To Respond To Road Accidents
Car accidents claim many lives. They are devastating and can be fatal if survivors are not handled properly. Here is what you can do if you are involved in a road accident.
- Pullover and park your car on the side of the road.
- Assess whether there are any injured persons.
- Send alerts or call for emergency assistance.
- Note and describe the series of events as you have witnessed or experienced them.
- Collect as much information and images as possible to relay over to emergency services.
- Do not interfere or tamper with the scene.
A service like iER is very helpful for emergency road assistance. Pressing just one button will have the appropriate emergency services on their way to you in minutes.
iER has saved a total of 22 253 lives between January 2020 and February 2022.
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