Cape Town Ramps Up Road Safety Drive
As October rolls in, Cape Town is set to shine a bright light on road safety during Transport Month 2025, a national push to highlight the vital role of transport in everyday life and the economy. Starting on 1 October, the City’s Urban Mobility Directorate plans to reach out to residents through various channels, sharing tips on how to use roads wisely and keep everyone safe. This comes at a critical time, with worrying stats showing that two people lose their lives on Western Cape roads every single day, a figure that has sparked urgent calls for change from local leaders.
Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, did not hold back in stressing the need for action. “This figure is alarming and very close to home. The safety of road users has decreased significantly over the last few years. Transport Month provides us with the opportunity to educate and inform road users on how to stay safe, especially over the next few months as we enter the more festive period of the year.
“Many of us have developed bad habits or are simply not present or aware while we are walking or driving, and the intention is to refocus the attention on safety; and to promote key road safety practices among pedestrians, scholars, passengers, cyclists, motorcyclists and motorists. We will be highlighting how to share the road responsibly in keeping Cape Town moving, safely,” Quintas said in a statement.
This year’s theme for Cape Town’s efforts, “Road Safety – Share the Road Responsibly,” ties into the national Transport Month goals of showcasing progress in aviation, maritime, public transport and roads while pushing for safer streets. [28] Across South Africa, the month aims to draw in communities and businesses to build a transport system that is not only reliable and affordable but also puts safety first. With events lined up citywide, Cape Town hopes to cut down on accidents as the end-of-year buzz ramps up, when roads get busier and risks climb.
The push is timely, given the grim trends in the Western Cape. From January to March 2025 alone, the province saw 16.43% of the country’s fatal crashes, trailing only behind Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. [12] Pedestrians bear the brunt, making up the bulk of deaths in spikes like the 72 fatalities recorded from 1 to 22 July 2025. [10] Overall, the festive season from late 2024 to early 2025 saw 123 deadly crashes, down from 142 the year before, showing some progress but still far too many lives lost.
National Spotlight: Transport Month’s Broader Push for Safer, Smarter Mobility
Transport Month, marked every October since its start, serves as a key time for the Department of Transport and its partners to showcase big wins in infrastructure and services.
Nationally, the focus includes highlighting investments in rail lines, road upgrades and public buses that create jobs and link communities better. It also invites everyday people and companies to join in making transport safer and more inclusive, aligning with the country’s growth plans like the Nine-Point Plan for economic boost.
Road safety takes centre stage this year, with calls to tackle issues like speeding, drunk driving and distracted walkers or drivers. [28] In the Western Cape, ongoing taxi violence has added to the woes, leading to route closures from 17 September 2025 to calm tensions between groups like CATA and CODETA.
These steps aim to protect commuters and keep public transport running smoothly, but they underscore the need for broader fixes.
Across South Africa, activities range from awareness campaigns to hands-on demos, all under the banner of moving the nation forward together.
For instance, the Africa Road Safety Summit, now in its eighth year, gathers experts during the month to share ideas on cutting crashes, focusing on challenges unique to the continent.
In Cape Town, this national vibe translates to local action, with the city teaming up with groups to teach safe habits and celebrate those making a difference.
Cape Town’s Line-Up: Events to Educate and Engage All Road Users
The Urban Mobility team has packed October with events designed to hit home on safety for everyone from kids to commuters. These gatherings aim to break bad habits and build awareness, especially as the year-end festivities approach, when alcohol and crowds can turn roads deadly.
First up is an event for school kids, run with the Safety and Security Directorate and Pedal Power Association (PPA) at the Learner Traffic Centre in Mitchells Plain. This targets primary school learners, where Road Safety officers will show simple tips for walking and cycling safely. It’s all about starting young, teaching them to look out for cars and use crossings right.
Then, a cycling-focused day in Khayelitsha, partnering with Khaltsha Cycles, Bicycle Empowerment Network (BEN) and PPA. Riders will learn key skills like proper hand signals, where to position on the road and spotting hazards. With more folks turning to bikes for cheap, green travel, this event stresses sharing space without risks.
In the city centre, Bree Street will host a fun setup for pedestrians and cyclists, complete with an obstacle course thanks to Young Urbanists and BEN Bikes. It’s a hands-on way to demo tips like staying visible, using helmets and respecting traffic lights.
Wrapping up on 31 October, the spotlight turns to drivers in the CBD, pushing for polite road use and avoiding blocked junctions that cause gridlock and crashes.
Plus, the city backs the Open Langa event on Sunday, 26 October—a car-free day closing King Langa, Libalele and Lerotholi Avenue. This turns streets into a lively spot for art, tunes, games and local stalls, all centred on walkers enjoying space without vehicles.
More details on times and spots will drop soon, so keep an eye on city channels. These events build on past successes, like PPA’s nationwide bike hand-outs and safety talks during last year’s Transport Month. [9]
Grim Stats Demand Action: Western Cape’s Road Toll in 2025
The drive for safety is backed by hard numbers that paint a tough picture. In just one week from 30 June to 6 July 2025, 23 people died in 23 crashes across the province. [13] Another spike hit in early May, with 18 fatal wrecks and shocking speeding busts. [16] By August, the first 11 days saw 52 lives lost, with over 15,000 tickets for speeding, reckless moves and phone use while driving. [18]
Pedestrians are hit hardest, often due to jaywalking, poor lighting or drivers not yielding. The Western Cape Government has stepped up with campaigns targeting this, like honoring women in traffic enforcement during Women’s Month 2025. [29] Easter 2025 brought some good news, with crashes dropping 32.5% to 141 from 209 the year prior, thanks to tougher checks and awareness. [11]
Yet, the province’s share of national deaths remains high, part of Africa’s broader crisis where West and East regions see 64% of crashes but only a third of vehicles. [17] Speed limits here—60 km/h in towns, 100 km/h outside, 120 km/h on highways—are key, but enforcement is crucial. [15]
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