South Africa heads into one of its busiest travel periods with new road safety data painting a concerning picture. According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), road deaths increased to 12 172 in 2024, up from 11 833 in 2023, while fatal crashes rose to 10 339 over the same period, says GWM.

Pedestrians remain the most at risk, accounting for 45% of total fatalities, and children aged 0 to14 make up 10.2% of deaths, adds GWM.

Early 2024 / 25 festive season figures show 1 502 deaths from 1 234 crashes, a 5.3% increase from the previous year. As in previous years, human behaviour, including fatigue, speeding and loss of control, contributed to a majority of incidents. South Africa's overall road-traffic fatality stands at 2.45 per 100 000 people, far above the global average of 6.3, says GWM.

With millions preparing for long-distance travel, experts warn that households often underestimate the most common risk: long hours behind the wheel, children causing in-car distractions, late-night departures after work and heavy traffic around shopping centres and holiday routes, adds GWM.

Practical steps can make a meaningful difference. Taking breaks every two hours, rotating drivers, pre-packing snacks and entertainment for children, slowing down in parking areas and avoiding driving while exhausted or under the influence of alcohol all help reduce risk, says GWM.

Vehicles can complement these behaviours. Many cars now feature lane-support technologies, such as Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), which alert drivers to unintentional lane drift and help maintain vehicle control on long journeys, adds GWM.

Features like ISOFIX child-seat anchor points, curtain and front-centre airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners can provide additional protection for passengers in the event of sudden stops or collisions, says GWM.

"Festive travel is a time of joy, connection and long-awaited moments with friends and family," says Floyd Ramabulana, Head of Marketing, GWM South Africa. "But extended hours on the road, holiday distractions and driver fatigue remain the biggest contributors to crashes during this period."

"As a safety-minded automotive partner, we encourage all motorists to plan ahead, rest regularly and make use of every available tool to support attentive driving. Modern vehicles now offer technologies that actively support driver awareness and control, helping families arrive safely this festive," says Ramabulana.

GWM offers some practical steps that can help make a difference this festive season: 

Managing Fatigue on Long Trips

Fatigue remains one of the most underrated but deadly contributors to festive-season accidents. Many families leave at night to "beat traffic", but the 22:00 to 04:00 window is when cognitive performance is at its lowest and reaction time is slowest, says GWM.

Tip: Avoid overnight travel where possible. Plan breaks, rotate drivers and stop immediately if concentration drops, adds GWM.

Travelling With Children and Reducing in-car Distraction

Parents frequently report the same pattern during long trips: siblings fighting, passing snacks to the backseat, turning to check on toddlers, or reaching across seats to settle an argument. Each glance away from the road lengthens reaction time by critical milliseconds, says GWM.

Tip: Set "travel routines" like charged screens, packed snacks and readily available comfort items before leaving. If a child needs attention, pull over in a safe spot rather than multitasking at the wheel, adds GWM.

Holiday Shopping, Malls and Parking Areas

December brings dense crowds around malls, filling stations and holiday towns. These spaces create a high collision risk due to pedestrians, taxis, trolleys, tight bays and children weaving through parked cars, says GWM.

Tip: Slow down drastically in parking zones, avoid reversing quickly and always double-check blind spots, adds GWM.

Leaving Social Events Late at Night

Evening gatherings, concerts and family functions often end after midnight. Visibility drops, roads quieten and drivers may be tired or impaired. Drivers are encouraged not to underestimate their routes, says GWM.

Tip: Arrange a designated river, carpool with friends or family. If people must drive, keep speeds conservative and stay alert to pedestrians who may also be walking home late.

Towing Trailers, Caravans or Luggge Pods

Heavy loads alter stopping distance, stability and vehicle handling. Many holiay accidents involve badly secured trailers, under-inflated tyres or poor visibility. This holiday adjustspeeds according to road conditions, and ensure vehicles are equipped to handle the additional load safely. Certain vehicles include features like trailer stability assist, hill descent control, or adaptive braking, which can provide extra peace of mind on long trips, says GWM.

Tip: Inspect the vehicle and trailer tyres, lights and tow connections before departure. Reduce speed when towing and allow braking distances, adds GWM.

South Africa's rising road fatality numbers reflect households, parents, breadwinners and children whose journeys never reached their destination. As millions head towards holiday spots and family homes, small decision can dramatically reduce risk. To support safer travel, GWM South Africa is offering pre-holiday vehicle safety checks at dealerships nationwide, says GWM.

These checks include tyres, brakes, batteries, lights, fluid levels and towing setups — items that often fail during long-distance travel. The service is open with the aim to help households travel with more peace of mind during a high-risk period, concludes GWM.

For more information, visit www.gwm.co.za. You can also follow GWM on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Instagram, or on TikTok.

*Image courtesy of contributor