North West Sees Sharp Decline in Festive Road Deaths Despite Drunk Driving and Bribery Arrests

The North West Province has recorded a marked improvement in road safety over the Christmas period, with fatal crashes dropping by 40% compared to the same period last year, even as law enforcement officers made numerous arrests for serious traffic offences.

Between 20 and 26 December 2025, a total of 26 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. Of these arrests, 23 were made on Saturday, 20 December alone. In a related development, ten drivers were also arrested for attempting to bribe traffic officers in the Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Kenneth Kaunda Districts.

Provincial traffic authorities confirmed that the festive period, characterised by heavy traffic volumes in the days leading up to Christmas Day, recorded significantly fewer fatalities than in 2024. During the same period last year, the province reported 24 road deaths.

The improvement has been credited to intensified road safety interventions rolled out by the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management from the beginning of December. These measures include increased patrols and visibility on high-risk routes, particularly from 18:00 onwards, which has been identified as a peak danger period.

MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng, expressed satisfaction with the decline in fatalities and urged officers to remain firm and consistent in enforcing the law.
“We will continue to be friendly and assist all motorists travelling through our province, but we will not tolerate any form of lawlessness,” Morweng said.

“Motorists must comply with all traffic regulations. The good rains we have received also create dangerous driving conditions due to flooding and slippery roads. Drivers must keep a safe following distance and adjust their speed to road conditions.”

Statistics further show that nearly two-thirds of crashes recorded during the period were caused by drivers losing control of their vehicles. Men between the ages of 23 and 48 accounted for 90% of the fatalities. Excessive speeding, reckless driving and alcohol consumption remain the leading causes of crashes.

The MEC also cautioned law enforcement officers against reacting to provocation, noting an increase in incidents being recorded and shared on social media without proper context.
“There are cases where officers are deliberately provoked, filmed while reacting, and then portrayed as harassing innocent road users,” he said.

“All officers are instructed to remain calm, disciplined and professional at all times, while ensuring that law and order are upheld.”

Motorists have been advised to plan their journeys carefully, allow for delays, and reduce speed, especially during rainy weather, as festive season traffic operations continue across the North West Province.