Slight decline in Easter road fatalities in WC

There has been a slight decline in road-related fatalities over the 2025 Easter weekend. According to figures from the Western Cape Mobility Department, between 17 and 21 April 2025, a total of 22 fatal crashes were recorded in the Western Cape, resulting in 22 lives lost. This marks a decline compared with the 26 road-related fatalities reported over the 2024 Easter period.

Of the 22 lives lost this year, 14 fatalities occurred on municipal roads and 8 on provincial routes, with the majority of these incidents taking place within the Cape Metro: 14 pedestrians, 5 passengers, 2 drivers, 1 motorcyclist.

The Mobility Department said just over 19 000 fines were issued for various offences; 8,714 speeding violations were recorded; 226 arrests were made, of which 181 were for driving under the influence of alcohol.

The Western Cape’s Health & Wellness Department also had a buisy weekend. Between 07:00 on Friday to 07:00 on Tuesday, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) logged a total of 7,988 incidents. The most frequent calls were for: Non-cardiac related pain: 1,505; Respiratory complaints: 1,049; Assault-related injuries: 597

Transport-related emergencies included: 85 pedestrian vehicle accidents; 104 motor vehicle accidents; 5 incidents involving cyclists

‘’Hospitals across the province also managed high volumes at their emergency centres. At the Hospital Emergency Centre Trauma Information System (HECTIS) reporting sites (*see footnote below), 16,395 patient episodes were recorded over the weekend period (00:00 Friday to 08:00 Tuesday).

Of these:

3,624 were trauma-related cases

12,476 were non-trauma cases

 

The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness Forensic Pathology Service (FPS) also responded to a number of fatalities over the Easter weekend: 23 fatal shootings; 6 confirmed suicides; 1 drowning

‘’This sustained demand across services reflects the critical role played by healthcare and forensic workers throughout the province. Every emergency call, hospital presentation, and forensic case represents a human life touched by tragedy. We remain deeply mindful of the burden borne by both our staff and affected families during this time,’’ said Mireille Wenger, Western Cape Health & wellness MEC.

‘’The sustained demand on our healthcare services highlights the vital role our healthcare workers play across the province - responding with skill, compassion, and unwavering dedication. Each call and each hospital visit represents a person in crisis. We are deeply aware of the emotional and physical toll this takes - not only on our staff, but also on affected families. Preventing trauma is a shared responsibility. "We urge residents to continue practising road safety, avoid abusing alcohol, and treat healthcare workers with respect. A safer province is only possible when we all do our part. Thank you to our EMS and hospital teams who worked throughout the long weekend, and for the care and commitment you continue to show our residents,’’ she added.

 

Done by: Bush Radio News reporter