Speeding, pedestrian deaths remain a concern- report
Pini Bothoko | Monday January 19, 2026 09:18
According to the report, a total of 285 fatal road crashes were recorded in 2024, down from 301 fatal crashes in 2023, representing a 5.3 percent decrease. Similarly, the number of lives lost on the roads declined by 12.6 percent, from 396 fatalities in 2023 to 346 in 2024.
Despite the reduction, road accidents remain a major public safety concern, with weekends and evening hours continuing to account for the highest number of deadly crashes, though weekends remain the deadliest.
Data covering the period from 2022 to 2024 show that Saturdays recorded the highest number of fatal crashes, accounting for 27.6 percent of all fatal crashes and 27.3 percent of total fatalities. Tuesdays recorded the lowest number of crashes at 6.8 percent, while Wednesdays accounted for the least number of fatalities at 7.2 percent.
The statistics further reveal that most fatal accidents occurred during the evening hours. In 2024, the highest number of road-related fatalities occurred between 1800 hours and 2000 hours, accounting for 14.7 percent of total deaths. Over the three years from 2022 to 2024, 150 fatal crashes were recorded during the time frame, resulting in 190 deaths.
Another high-risk period was between 2000 hours and 2200 hours, which accounted for 13.1 percent of fatal crashes and 11.3 percent of deaths over the same period. Of the 346 lives lost in 2024, passengers accounted for the highest number of fatalities at 132, followed by pedestrians at 110, and drivers at 104.
The report shows that the Mogoditshane police District recorded the highest number of road deaths, with 42 fatalities, representing 12.1 % of all deaths recorded nationwide. This was followed closely by the Sejelo police district, which recorded 41 deaths, accounting for 11.8 percent. Pedestrian deaths were particularly high in Mogoditshane, with 24.5 % of all pedestrian fatalities in 2024 recorded within the district, highlighting the heightened vulnerability of pedestrians in urban and peri-urban areas.
The report further highlighted that speed remains the leading cause of fatal crashes. As was the case in both 2022 and 2023, excessive speed remained the leading cause of fatal road crashes in 2024. The report indicates that speeding contributed to 46.3 % of fatal crashes, making it the single most significant factor in deadly accidents.
Out of the total fatal crashes recorded in 2024, 179 were linked to excessive speed, accounting for 51.7 % of all fatalities. Careless driving and other forms of driver negligence were also major contributors, accounting for 22.8 percent of fatal crashes, which resulted in 19.4 percent of all road deaths.
Meanwhile, the report further indicates a slight decline in traffic law violations. A total of 345,857 traffic violations were recorded in 2024, representing a 3.1 % decrease compared to 2023.
The highest number of violations was recorded in June and December, each accounting for 9.3 percent of total violations, followed by May (8.9 percent) and March (8.8 percent).
Excessive speed once again topped the list of traffic offences, accounting for 24.4 percent of all recorded violations. This was followed by driving without a valid licence, which made up 9.5 percent of total violations. A similar pattern was observed in 2023, where excessive speed accounted for 17.6 percent of violations, while driving without a licence constituted 10.4 percent.
Addressing the public during the launch of Operation Pabalesego II ahead of the festive season, Police Commissioner Dinah Marathe reiterated concerns about pedestrian safety, describing pedestrians as the most vulnerable group on the roads.
She noted that many pedestrian fatalities occur when individuals are hit by vehicles while leaving entertainment venues or walking along road shoulders, particularly during the evening and night hours.
Commissioner Marathe urged both motorists and pedestrians to exercise greater caution, emphasising the need for responsible driving, adherence to traffic laws, and increased awareness to further reduce road deaths. Recently, the Traffic Director, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, Pilane Sibigi, disclosed that close to 300 people had lost their lives on the road in 2025 only.
While the decline in fatal crashes and deaths in 2024 reflects progress, traffic police warn that sustained efforts are required to address reckless driving, speeding, and pedestrian safety.
The report underscores the need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws, improved road infrastructure, and continued public education campaigns to ensure safer roads for all users.