State of Road Safety Report
Quarterly Report: January – March 2024
ii
Table of contents
Table of contents ii
List of Figures 4
List of acronyms and abbreviations 5
1. OBJECTIVE OF THE REPORT 6
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 7
SECTION A 8
1. INTRODUCTION 8
2. METHODOLOGY 8
3. ROAD FATAL CRASHES 10
4. ROAD FATALITIES 21
SECTION B 29
1. INTRODUCTION 29
2. VEHICLE POPULATION 29
3. DRIVER POPULATION 34
3
List of Tables
Table 1: Number of fatal crashes per Province ............................................ 10
Table 2: Comparison of fatalities per province ............................................ 21
Table 3: Number of registered vehicles per type................................................. 30
Table 4: Number of registered vehicles per province ........................................... 31
Table 5: Number of learner licences issued ........................................................ 34
Table 6: Number of learner licences issued per province ...................................... 35
Table 7: Number of driving licences issued ........................................................ 37
Table 8: Number of driving licences issued per province ...................................... 39
Table 9: Number of PrDP's issued .................................................................... 40
Table 10: Number of professional driving permits (PrDP's) issued per province ....... 42
4
List of Figures
Figure 1: Percentage distribution of fatal crashes per province ............................. 11
Figure 2: Percentage distribution of fatal crashes per day of week .............. 12
Figure 3: Percentage distribution of fatal crashes per time of day ............... 13
Figure 4: Percentage distribution of crash types ......................................... 14
Figure 5: Percentage distribution of fatal crashes per vehicle type .............. 15
Figure 6: Comparison of contributory factors .............................................. 17
Figure 7: Percentage distribution of human factors ..................................... 18
Figure 8: Percentage distribution of road and environmental factors ........... 19
Figure 9: Percentage distribution for vehicle factor ............................................. 20
Figure 10: Percentage distribution of fatalities per road user ...................... 22
Figure 11: Percentage distribution of fatalities per gender .................................... 23
Figure 12: Percentage distribution of fatalities per race ....................................... 24
Figure 13: Percentage distribution of fatalities per age for drivers .............. 25
Figure 14: Percentage distribution of fatalities per age for passengers ................... 26
Figure 15: Percentage distribution of fatalities per age for pedestrians ................... 27
Figure 16: Percentage distribution of fatalities per age for cyclists .............. 28
Figure 17: Percentage Annual Growth in Vehicle Population ................................. 32
Figure 18: Percentage Vehicle Registered per province ........................................ 33
Figure 20: Number of learner license issued ...................................................... 35
Figure 21: Percentage change in learner licences issued per province .................... 36
Figure 22: Number of driving licences issued ..................................................... 38
Figure 23: Percentage change in driving licences issued ...................................... 39
Figure 24: Number of PrDP's issued ................................................................. 41
Figure 25: Percentage in PrDP's issued per province ........................................... 42
5
List of acronyms and abbreviations
CHOCOR : CULPABLE HOMICIDE CRIME: OBSERVATION REPORT
EC : EASTERN CAPE
GA : GAUTENG
FS : FREE STATE
LI : LIMPOPO
MP : MPUMALANGA
NC : NORTHERN CAPE
NW : NORTH WEST
WC : WESTERN CAPE
KZN : KWAZULU NATAL
SAPS : SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
NATIS : NATIONAL TRAFFIC INFORMATION SYSTEM
6
1. OBJECTIVE OF THE REPORT
This report is aimed at achieving the following objectives:
• To provide road traffic fatal crashes and fatalities statistics based on the
Culpable Homicide Crash: Observation Report (CHoCOR) Forms and provincial
inputs; and
• To present statistics on registered vehicles, un-roadworthy vehicles, un-licenced
vehicles, driving licence and professional driving permits issued.
7
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The report provides fatal road crash statistics in South African public roads.
The performance is for the period January to March 2024. The performance per
each focus areas have been provided below.
Road Crashes Data
A total of 2 818 fatalities were recorded between January and March 2024
compared to 2 498 for the same period in 2023. For the same period 2 327
fatal crashes were recorded compared to 2 132 period in 2023. This is an
increase of 12.81% in fatalities and 9.15% fatal crashes.
Vehicle and driver population
The number of registered vehicles increased by 171 959 (1.32%) from
13 023 834 in March 2023 to 13 195 793 vehicles in March 2024.
The number of learner driving licences issued increased by 11 247 (0.16%)
from 1 091 210 in March 2023 to 1 102 457 in March 2024.
The number of driving licences issued increased by 602 002 (4.01%) from
15 014 802 in March 2023 to 15 616 804 in March 2024.
The number of Professional Driving Permits (PrDP’s) issued increased by
77 677 (6.89%) from 1 127 92 in March 2023 to 1 205 669 in March 2024.
8
SECTION A
1. INTRODUCTION
This report compares fatal crashes reported to police stations between January
and March 2023 and January and March 2024 using the CHoCOR Forms and
information recorded by provinces. The report includes information on
registered vehicles, driving licences and professional driving permits issued
from the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS); and information on
population growth using the 2023 mid-year population estimates from
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).
2. METHODOLOGY
2.1 Road crash data collection methodology
The Culpable Homicide Crash Observation Report (CHoCOR) forms are used to
collect fatal crashes data on daily basis. South African Police Service (SAPS)
and Provincial Departments of Road and Transport are the sources of fatal
crash data. SAPS provides the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC)
with a list of all recorded fatal crashes (called the CAS list) and further to this
the RTMC receives CHoCOR forms from various police stations; the provincial
departments also submit data on fatal crashes to RTMC. RTMC validates all
inputs for consistency, captures, processes, and verifies the data and compiles
the report.
2.2 Crash Data Flow
Data is collected through the CHoCOR forms and provincial inputs. The data is
then submitted to RTMC.
9
2.3 Data processing
The data is received from the three areas (SAPS, CHoCOR and provinces),
validated, captured, processed, and verified for the compilation of the
consolidated statistical report. There is a continuous engagement with SAPS
and provinces for validation purpose.
2.4 Limitations
The road traffic information contained in the report is based on the fatal
crashes only. There is still a need for collection of all road crashes, traffic
volumes, road conditions, weather reports amongst others to complement the
data currently collected.
2.5 Instruments
The Culpable Homicide Crash Observation Report (CHoCOR) forms and
provincial inputs are used by RTMC record fatality data on daily basis.
10
3. ROAD FATAL CRASHES
The section covers fatal road crash data. The section encompasses the number
of fatal crashes and fatalities, contributory factors, fatality data per road user
group and major crashes.
3.1 Number of fatal crashes
The table below provides a comparison between the fourth quarter of the
financial year 2022/23 and fourth quarter of the financial year 2023/24.
Nationally there has been an increase of 195(9.15%) fatal crashes. At a
provincial all provinces recorded increases in fatal crashes. Eastern Cape had
the highest numerical increase in fatal crashes of 39(17.18%) followed by
North West 36(27.48%) then Western Cape at 35(12.03%) and Mpumalanga
at 33(18.54%).
Q4
EC FS GP KZN LP MP NC NW WC RSA
2023
227 102 477 430 225 178 71 131 291 2132
2024
266 119 494 436 229 211 79 167 326 2327
CHANGE
39 17 17 6 4 33 8 36 35 195
% CHANGE
17,18% 16,67% 3,56% 1,40% 1,78% 18,54% 11,27% 27,48% 12,03% 9,15%
FATAL CRASHES PER PROVINCE
Table 1: Number of fatal crashes per Province
11
The above figure shows percentage distribution of fatal crashes per province.
The provinces with the highest contribution are Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal at
21.23% and 18.74% in 2024 and 22.37% and 20.17% in 2023 respectively.
for 2023. At least forty percent (40%) of fatal crashes for the period under
review are from Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
Figure 1: Percentage distribution of fatal crashes per province
12
3.1.1 Fatal Crashes per Day of Week
The details of the crashes per day of the week are given in the figure below. In
the fourth quarter of both 2022/2023 and 2023/2024, weekend days (Friday,
Saturday and Sunday) contributed most of fatal crashes. For 2023/2024 the
contribution was 59.0% and for 2022/2023 57.9%.
Saturdays and Sundays contribute 43.5% in 2023/2024 and 42.7% in
2022/2023 to fatal crashes in the fourth quarter of each financial year.
Figure 2: Percentage distribution of fatal crashes per day of week
13
3.1.2 Fatal Crashes per time of day
The percentage of fatal crashes per time of day for the period under review is
reflected in the figure below.
Figure 3: Percentage distribution of fatal crashes per time of day
From the figure above the period 17:00 to 22:00 is the peak of fatal crashes.
This five hour period contributed 31.8% in 2023/2024 fourth quarter and
34.4% in 2022/2023 fourth quarter of all fatal crashes in the time of day.
14
3.1.3 Fatal crashes per crash type
The percentage contribution of fatal crashes per crash type are reflected in the
figure below.
Figure 4: Percentage distribution of crash types
From the figure above, most fatal crashes occurred with pedestrians at 29.0% in the
fourth quarter of 2023/2024 and 30.3% in the fourth quarter 2022/2023, followed by
hit and runs at 23.3% 2023/2024 and 21.5% in 2022/2023.
15
3.1.4 Fatal crashes per vehicle type
The percentage contribution of various vehicles involved in the fatal crashes
are reflected in the figure below.
Figure 5: Percentage distribution of fatal crashes per vehicle type
The vehicle types that contributed the highest to fatal crashes were Motor Cars
or Station Wagon at 35.5% and Light Delivery Vehicles 16.0 in the fourth
quarter of 2023/2024; and in the fourth quarter of 2022/2023 Motor Cars or
Station Wagon at 37.1% and Light Delivery Vehicles at 16.9% were also
highest contributors to fatal crashes.
16
3.2 Contributory factors
The contributory factors for fatal crashes are classified as follows: human
factors (defined as a stable, general human abilities and limitations that are
valid for all users); vehicle factors (are focussed on the vehicle itself covering
issues around mechanical failures); and environment factors (include limited
visibility, poorly marked roads, missing road signs, sudden changes in road
infrastructure, gravel road, the state of the road and weather conditions).
Human factors contribute a high percent to fatal crashes. Human factors
contributed 84.1% in the fourth quarter of 2023/2024 and 89.8% in the fourth
quarter of 2022/2023 to fatal crashes. Human factors in fatal crashes remain a
big concern.
17
Figure 6: Comparison of contributory factors
18
Figure 7: Percentage distribution of human factors
The figure above shows that hit and runs and jaywalking are the major
contributory factors within the human factors at 22.3% and 21.4% respectively
in the fourth quarter of 2023/2024 and at 26.1% and 21.6% in the fourth
quarter of 2022/2023.
19
Figure 8: Percentage distribution of road and environmental factors
Within the road environmental factors poor lighting contributed 17.3% of fatal
crashes during the fourth quarter of 2022/2023. In quarter four of both
2023/2024 and 2022/2023 sharp bend were the next highest contribution
under road and environmental factors. Sharp bend contributed 16.3% in fourth
quarter 2023/2024 and 15.7% in fourth quarter 2022/2023.
20
According to the figure above tyre burst and faulty brakes were the highest
contributors to crashes under the vehicle factors category at 54.0% and
22.5.0% in quarter four of 2023/2024; and at 48.0% and 18.7% respectively
in quarter four of 2022/2023.
Figure 9: Percentage distribution for vehicle factor
21
4. ROAD FATALITIES
The section covers fatalities data. Fatalities are defined as when a person or
persons that are killed during or immediately after a crash, or death occurs
within 30 days after a crash as a direct result of such crash. The section
encompasses number of fatalities, percentage distribution per road user,
gender, race and age.
4.4 Number of fatalities per province
Q4
EC FS GP KZN LP MP NC NW WC RSA
2023
264 119 526 475 314 224 96 147 333 2498
2024
335 144 546 479 341 260 108 219 386 2818
CHANGE
71 25 20 4 27 36 12 72 53 320
% CHANGE
26,89% 21,01% 3,80% 0,84% 8,60% 16,07% 12,50% 48,98% 15,92% 12,81%
FATALITIES PER PROVINCE
Table 2: Comparison of fatalities per province
The table above provides a comparison between the fourth quarter of the
financial year 2023/2024 and fourth quarter of the financial year 2022/2023.
Nationally there has been an increase of 320(12.81%) fatalities. At a provincial
level all provinces recorded numerical increase in fatalities.
North West 72(48.98%) followed by Eastern Cape at 71(26.89%) then
Western Cape at 53(15.92%) and Mpumalanga at 36(16.07%).
22
4.5 Number of Fatalities per Road User Group
Figure 10: Percentage distribution of fatalities per road user
The percentage distribution of fatalities per road user groups are reflected in
the figure above. From the above figure during the period under review 44.4%
of road fatalities were pedestrians, 30.7% passengers, 24.0% drivers and
1.0% cyclists. During the fourth quarter of 2022/2023 45.3% of road fatalities
were pedestrians, 27.1% passengers, 26.3% drivers and 1.2% cyclists.
23
The figure above shows fatalities per gender. From the above figure 74.9% of
road fatalities were male during the period under review and 76.5% in the
previous period.
Figure 11: Percentage distribution of fatalities per gender
24
From the above figure on 77.3% of road fatalities for the period under review
were blacks.
Figure 12: Percentage distribution of fatalities per race
25
4.6 Road user group fatalities per age group
The figures below provide information regarding the fatalities per age and road
user group for the period January to March 2024 and January to March 2023.
The below figures will show fatalities per age within a road user group.
Figure 13: Percentage distribution of fatalities per age for drivers
In the fourth quarter of the financial year 2023/2024 the percentage of driver
fatalities in the age group 25 to 44 was 60.2% of all driver fatalities and for
the same period in financial year 2022/2023 was 57.7%. More young adults
die on the roads as drivers than any other age grouping.
26
In the fourth quarter of the financial year 2023/2024 the percentage of
passenger fatalities in the age group 25 to 44 was 46.8% of all passenger
fatalities and for the same period in financial year 2022/2023 was 45.8%.
More than a half of passenger fatalities were youth.
Figure 14: Percentage distribution of fatalities per age for passengers
27
In the fourth quarter of the financial year 2024/2023 the percentage of
pedestrian fatalities in the age group 25 to 44 was 45.8% of all pedestrian
fatalities and for the same period in financial year 2022/2023 was 45.9%.
More young adults die on the roads as pedestrians than any other age
grouping.
Figure 15: Percentage distribution of fatalities per age for pedestrians
28
Figure 16: Percentage distribution of fatalities per age for cyclists
In the fourth quarter of the financial year 2023/2024 the percentage of cyclist
fatalities were spread between different age groups with 15.4% for age groups
20 to 24, 30 to 34, 35-39 and 60 to 64. For the same period in financial year
2022/2023 the spread was between the age groups 30 to 34 and 40 to 44 at
18.8% each and 12.5% at age groups 45 to 49, 55 to 59 and 60 to 64.
29
SECTION B
5. INTRODUCTION
The section covers vehicle population and human mobility data, as well as
driver population. The vehicle population data will encompass the number of
registered vehicles inclusive of the status of their roadworthiness and licencing,
as well as human mobility in terms of the number of persons per vehicle. The
driver population data covers the number of registered drivers including the
status and categories of licences.
6. VEHICLE POPULATION
6.4 Number of Registered Vehicles
The number of registered vehicles increased by 171 959 (1.32%) from
13 023 834 in March 2023 to 13 195 793 vehicles in March 2024. Detail per
type of vehicle is given in table below.
30
Number of Number Number % % of % of
Registered
Vehicles
registered registered Change Change Group Total
Motorised
Vehicles
Mar-23 Mar-24 Mar-24 Mar-24
Motorcars
7 727 988 7 837 771 109 783 1,42% 65,62% 59,40%
Minibuses
350 680 356 164 5484 1,56% 2,98% 2,70%
Buses
64 298 64 994 696 1,08% 0,54% 0,49%
Motorcycles
347 621 350 405 2784 0,80% 2,93% 2,66%
LDV's - Bakkies
2 670 338 2 701 912 31574 1,18% 22,62% 20,48%
Trucks
386 641 393 725 7084 1,83% 3,30% 2,98%
Other &
Unknown
237 504 239 469 1965 0,83% 2,00% 1,81%
Total Motorised 11 785 070 11 944 440 159 370 1,35% 100,00% 90,52%
Towed Vehicles
Caravans
95 669 94 831 (838) -0,88% 7,58% 0,72%
Heavy Trailers
226 291 893 082 666 791 294,66% 71,37% 6,77%
Light Trailers
889 240 236 342 (652 898) -73,42% 18,89% 1,79%
Other &
Unknown
27 564 27 098 (466) -1,69% 2,17% 0,21%
Total Towed 1 238 764 1 251 353 12 589 1,02% 100,00% 9,48%
All Vehicles 13 023 834 13 195 793 171 959 1,32% 100,00%
Table 3: Number of registered vehicles per type
The table above shows that all vehicles increased except Caravans.
31
The total motor vehicle population per province for March 2023 and March
2024 is given in table below and the vehicle population percentage growth is
reflected in the figure below.
Number of Number Number % % of
Registered
Vehicles
registered registered Change Change Total
per Province Mar-23 Mar-24 Mar-24
GP
4 997 033 5 070 287 73 254 1,47% 38,42%
KZ 1 747 336 1 773 639 26 303 1,51% 13,44%
WC 2 116 228 2 155 489 39 261 1,86% 16,33%
EC 857 643 860 263 2 620 0,31% 6,52%
FS 646 258 647 154 896 0,14% 4,90%
MP 923 790 933 276 9 486 1,03% 7,07%
NW 662 205 667 632 5 427 0,82% 5,06%
LP 779 682 792 815 13 133 1,68% 6,01%
NC 293 659 295 238 1 579 0,54% 2,24%
RSA 13 023 834 13 195 793 171 959 1,32% 100,00%
Table 4: Number of registered vehicles per province
32
Figure 17: Percentage Annual Growth in Vehicle Population
The percentage distribution of vehicles registered per province as at 31 March
2024 is reflected in the figure below.
33
Figure 18: Percentage Vehicle Registered per province
The information in the figure above shows that 38.42% of vehicle’s population
were registered in Gauteng, 16.33% in Western Cape and 13.44% in KwaZulu-
Natal. 68.20% of all registered vehicles in the country were registered in these
three provinces.
34
7. DRIVER POPULATION
7.1 Learner Driving Licences
The number of learner driving licences issued increased by 11 247 (0.16%)
from 1 091 210 in March 2023 to 1 102 457 in March 2024. Details on the
number of learner driving licences issued per category is given in table below
and graphically reflected in the figure below.
Category Mar-23 Mar-24 Change % Change
1 41 193 41 372 179 0,43%
2 203 099 198 876 -4 223 -2,08%
3 846 918 862 209 15 291 1,81%
Total 1 091 210 1 102 457 11 247 0,16%
Number of Learner Licences Issued
Table 5: Number of learner licences issued
35
Figure 19: Number of learner license issued
The table below shows the number and percentage change per Province of
learner licences issued.
Year gp KZ WC EC FS MP NW LP NC RSA
Mar-23 349 018 207 816 176 342 51 207 49 720 92 337 50 022 94 402 20 346 1 091 210
Mar-24 382 921 190 749 175 047 54 260 48 574 86 068 46 422 97 324 21 092 1 102 457
Change 33 903 -17 067 -1 295 3 053 -1 146 -6 269 -3 600 2 922 746 11 247
% Change 9,71% -8,21% -0,73% 5,96% -2,30% -6,79% -7,20% 3,10% 3,67% 1,03%
Number of Learners Licences Issued per Province
Table 6: Number of learner licences issued per province
36
Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Limpopo and Northen Cape had increased in the
number of learner licences issued for the period under review. The highest
increase in learner licences issued was Gauteng at 9.71%.
Figure 20: Percentage change in learner licences issued per province
37
7.2 Driving Licences Issued
7.2.1 Number of Driving Licences Issued
The number of driving licences issued increased by 602 002 (4.01%) from
15 014 802 in March 2023 to 15 616 804 in March 2024. Details on the
number of driving licences issued per category is given in table and graphically
presented below.
Category Mar-23 Mar-24 Change % Change
A 514 055 524 542 10 487 2,04%
A1 122 447 122 964 517 0,42%
B 3 388 522 3 508 552 120 030 3,54%
C 25 431 26 008 577 2,27%
C1 5 445 768 5 814 156 368 388 6,76%
EB 3 651 480 3 676 085 24 605 0,67%
EC 1 285 421 1 358 561 73 140 5,69%
EC1 581 678 585 936 4 258 0,73%
Total 15 014 802 15 616 804 602 002 4,01%
Number of Driver Licences Issued
Table 7: Number of driving licences issued
38
Driving licences:
A
Motorcycle > 125 cub.cm
A1
Motorcycle < 125 cub.cm
B
Motor vehicle < 3,5000 kg
C
Motor vehicle > 16,000 kg
C1
Motor vehicle 3,500 –
16,000 kg
EB
Articulated motor vehicle
<16,000 kg
EC
Articulated vehicle >
16,000 kg
EC1
Articulated vehicle 3,500 –
16,000 kg
Figure 21: Number of driving licences issued
From the above table the highest percentage change is for Categories C1 with
a 6.76% increase, followed by category EC and B with 5.69% and 3.54%
increases respectively.
39
The total number of driving licences issued per province for March 2023 and
March 2024 are given in table below and the driving licences issued percentage
change is reflected in the figure below.
Year
GP KZ WC EC FS MP NW LP NC RSA
Mar-23
5 260 211 2 412 612 2 240 097 1 084 152 720 097 1 139 627 700 269 1 180 939 276 798 15 014 802
Mar-24
5 544 444 2 499 545 2 305 423 1 110 613 737 980 1 178 314 731 526 1 225 648 283 311 15 616 804
Change
284 233 86 933 65 326 26 461 17 883 38 687 31 257 44 709 6 513 602 002
% Change
5,40% 3,60% 2,92% 2,44% 2,48% 3,39% 4,46% 3,79% 2,35% 4,01%
Number of Driver Licences Issued per Province
Table 8: Number of driving licences issued per province
Figure 22: Percentage change in driving licences issued
40
7.2.2 Professional Driving Permits Issued
The number of Professional Driving Permits (PrDP’s) issued increased by
77 677 (6.89%) from 1 127 92 in March 2023 to 1 205 669 in March 2024.
Detail on the number of PrDPs issued per category is given in table below and
graphically represented in the figure below.
Category Mar-23 Mar-24 Change % Change
G 6 646 7 423 777 11,69%
P G 1 067 085 1 138 797 71 712 6,72%
D G 158 144 -14 -8,86%
D P G 54 103 59 305 5 202 9,61%
Total 1 127 992 1 205 669 77 677 6,89%
Number of PrDP's Issued
Table 9: Number of PrDP's issued
Professional Driving Permits (PrDPs)
G: Goods
P: Passengers
D: Dangerous goods
41
Figure 23: Number of PrDP's issued
The total number of professional driving permits issued per province for March
2023 and March 2024 are given in table below and the professional driving
permits issued percentage change is reflected in the figure below.
42
Number of Professional Driving Permits (PrDP's) Issued per Province
Year
GP
KZN
WC
EC
FS
MP
NW
LI
NC
RSA
Mar-23
319 048
209 505
159 212
83 421
61 376
107 898
61 212
99 087
27 233
1 127 992
Mar-24
378 390
205 578
162 534
93 472
64 064
109 117
56 150
109 608
26 756
1 205 669
Change
59 342
-3 927
3 322
10 051
2 688
1 219
-5 062
10 521
-477
77 677
%
Change
18,60%
-1,87%
2,09%
12,05%
4,38%
1,13%
-8,27%
10,62%
-1,75%
6,89%
Table 10: Number of professional driving permits (PrDP's) issued per province
Figure 24: Percentage in PrDP's issued per province
43
Compiled by
………………………….
Mr Emmanuel Phasha
General Manager: Road Traffic Information
Date:
Recommended by
………………………….
Mr Kevin Kara-Vala
Executive Manager: Road Traffic Information & Technology
Date:
44
Approved by
………………………
Advocate Makhosini Msibi
Chief Executive Officer
Date:
