The South African government has set a target to reduce road fatalities by 50% by 2030, with Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa outlining road safety and public transport priorities at the launch of Transport Month. The target is part of the government's efforts to improve road safety and reduce the number of road deaths.
According to Hlengwa, the department is targeting a 45% reduction in road fatalities by 2029 and 50% by 2030. This follows a 6.2% fall in road fatalities in 2025 compared with the previous year, the lowest level recorded in five years. Preliminary figures for January 1 to August 23 this year show a further 9% reduction compared with the same period in 2025.
The government has recently approved the Revised National Road Safety Strategy 2026–2030, which adopts a “safe system” approach based on the principle that people make mistakes but those mistakes should not result in death or serious injury. The strategy focuses on safer roads and infrastructure, safer vehicles, safer speeds, effective enforcement, and improved post-crash response.
One of the key initiatives under the new strategy is the introduction of a zero alcohol limit for drivers. Hlengwa revealed that legislative amendments were being pursued to introduce this limit. The department also plans to strengthen the identification and treatment of hazardous locations, improve pedestrian infrastructure, tighten roadworthiness enforcement, and strengthen safety standards for learner and public transport services.
A national crash data observatory, supported by artificial intelligence and data analytics, is also being developed to identify crash hotspots and inform evidence-based interventions. This will help the government to target its interventions more effectively and make better use of its resources.
The government is also pushing ahead with the rollout of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system. Phase two began on July 1, covering 62 municipal and provincial areas, including major metros. Hlengwa said AARTO was not simply a traffic fine system but a road safety intervention intended to improve compliance, strengthen accountability and change road user behaviour.
While road safety is a major focus of the Transport Month launch, Creecy also outlined measures aimed at easing pressure on households and improving public transport affordability. The government is working to reform the public transport grant system into a unified support model for selected routes serving both bus and minibus taxi operators, and is also bringing private investment into the rail sector.
Key points
- The government aims to reduce road fatalities by 50% by 2030.
- A new road safety strategy focuses on safer roads and vehicles.
- The government is working to make public transport more affordable.
