Cape Town road safety crisis: One death every 11 hours, 68% are pedestrians

Cape Town's Urban Mobility Directorate has released alarming statistics showing one road death occurs every 11 hours and 40 minutes on average, with pedestrians making up 68% of all fatalities. 

The latest Traffic Crash Report provides statistics on all reported road traffic crashes in Cape Town from 2021 to 2024. 

The report shows a total of 3 007 people were killed in 262 225 traffic crashes over this four-year period; that is on average, one death every 11 hours and 40 minutes.

The Traffic Crash Report is based on the data that has been extracted from Accident Report forms provided by the 79 South African Police Stations and Traffic Centres based in Cape Town.

“It is absolutely shocking to see how many people are killed and injured on our roads every day, and that the majority by far are pedestrians who are extremely vulnerable in an environment where drivers often speed or don’t stop at red traffic signals.

“We collect and analyse the statistics on a yearly basis to assist us with policy formation to improve road safety, and for traffic and transport planning studies, road safety plans and so forth,” said the City’s Mayco Member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas.

The traffic report shows: 

• 739 people were killed in 56 424 reported crashes in 2021, and 8 358 were injured
• 779 people were killed in 66 332 reported crashes in 2022, and 14 049 were injured
• 785 people were killed in 66 593 reported crashes in 2023, and 11 750 were injured
• 704 people were killed in 72 876 reported crashes in 2024, and 15 145 were injured
• On average, 181 traffic crashes happened every day
• 68% of all persons killed were pedestrians; 1% were cyclists; 14% drivers; 5% motorcyclists; and 12% were passengers
• 3 124 children between the ages of 1 and 14 years were involved in these crashes
• Friday was the worst day for crashes, followed by Tuesday; with most crashes happening during the morning peak (7am to 9am) and evening peak period (5pm to 6pm)

“As we are gathering with friends and family to celebrate this festive season, I want to remind all drivers that we can save lives and avoid traffic crashes by keeping to the rules of the road, and sharing the roads with other users such as cyclists and motorcyclists. I also want to urge pedestrians to always use pedestrian crossings and to make sure it is safe to cross before doing so,” said Quintas.

Cape Times