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The Road Accident Fund (RAF) issued a public safety alert on Thursday, 1 January 2026. The Fund said ignoring traffic rules often leads to fatal or life-changing injuries, especially during peak holiday travel.
Official Response
RAF Acting Chief Executive Officer Radikwena Phora said the consequences of reckless road behaviour are severe.
“Not respecting the rules of the road can lead to severe and devastating consequences. The RAF urges all road users to respect traffic rules to save lives.”
Verified Facts
- The most common festive-season crashes were pedestrian incidents, hit-and-run collisions, rollovers, and head-on crashes.
- The RAF recorded 65,732 new claims in the 2024/2025 period.
- Claims included medical costs, loss of earnings, general damages, and funeral expenses.
- Road safety programmes were implemented near 23 schools in three provinces.
- Nearly 1,600 drivers received defensive driving training nationwide.
Community Impact
The RAF said road safety depends on individual responsibility. Drivers must maintain vehicles, avoid alcohol or drugs, and ensure children are properly restrained. Meanwhile, pedestrians were urged to wear bright clothing at night to reduce risk.
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