Festive Road-Safety Drive Begins in Limpopo

Limpopo has officially launched its 2025 Festive Season Road-Safety Campaign in Solomondale, bringing together law-enforcement authorities, transport stakeholders and community organisations in a united effort to curb fatalities during the busy holiday period.

The campaign was led by MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye, joined by Head of Department Stephen Matjena and SAPS Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe. The provincial leadership emphasised that the festive season brings increased traffic volumes, alcohol misuse, speeding and fatigue—factors that contribute significantly to crashes on the province’s roads.

MEC Mathye announced a strengthened enforcement plan, including 24-hour roadblocks, random breathalyser tests, vehicle-fitness inspections, and heightened visibility of traffic officers. She stressed that the aim is to ensure every resident and visitor travels safely. “Life comes first, and we want every road user to arrive alive,” she said.

HOD Matjena echoed the call for collective responsibility, highlighting that enforcement alone cannot change behaviour. “Road safety is a shared responsibility. We need all road users to make the right choices,” he said.

Commissioner Hadebe affirmed SAPS’s commitment to jointly tackling crime and road-safety challenges during the festive period, with a focus on visibility, compliance and swift action against offenders.

The launch included motorist engagements, demonstrations, and educational material centred on seatbelt use, sober driving, proper vehicle maintenance, safe overtaking and fatigue management. Residents were urged to report reckless driving, overloaded taxis, unroadworthy vehicles and drunk drivers using provincial hotlines.

Key Messages to Drivers

• Arrive alive – your family needs you.
• Do not drink and drive – not even one drink.
• Rest every two hours – fatigue kills.
• Check tyres, brakes and lights before travelling.
• Slow down – speed kills.
• Buckle up at all times.

With coordinated enforcement and active community participation, Limpopo hopes to achieve a safer and more responsible festive season for all.