December 5, 2025
South Africa’s roads claim thousands of lives annually, with pedestrians bearing a disproportionate burden. In 2022, the country recorded 12,436 road fatalities, equivalent to a death rate of 20.7 per 100,000 population, and over 100,000 serious injuries. Pedestrians accounted for 43 percent of those killed, highlighting their status as the most vulnerable road users. This figure aligns with broader trends, where pedestrians consistently represent 35 to 40 percent of all road deaths in South Africa. The economic toll is staggering, with crashes costing the road network an estimated ZAR 142.95 billion yearly, or 3.4 percent of the nation’s GDP. Hospital admissions for injured pedestrians or passengers average ZAR 80,000 per case, straining public health resources.
Recent data from the 2024/2025 festive season underscores the urgency. Between December 1, 2024, and January 20, 2025, 1,502 people died in 1,234 crashes—a 5.3 percent increase from the previous year. Of these, 41 percent were pedestrians, with Gauteng recording the highest rate at 63.84 percent, followed by the Western Cape at 53.9 percent and KwaZulu-Natal at 44.33 percent. These provinces, home to the majority of the population and vehicles, amplify the risk in densely populated urban areas. Nationally, during the January to March 2025 quarter, pedestrians comprised 46.7 percent of road fatalities, up from 44.4 percent in the same period of 2023/2024.
Demographic patterns reveal stark inequities. Males constitute 75 percent of all road fatalities, while young adults aged 25 to 44 represent the largest group among pedestrian deaths at 45.77 percent in the 2024/2025 quarter. Children under 15 are particularly at risk, accounting for 12.08 percent of pedestrian fatalities in early 2025 and 10.2 percent overall in 2022. A child born in South Africa faces a higher likelihood of pedestrian-related death than any other injury cause before age 15. These vulnerabilities stem from socio-economic factors, including the legacy of apartheid-era urban planning, which has left many low-income areas with inadequate sidewalks, forcing pedestrians into traffic alongside informal trading and high vehicle volumes.
Contributing factors to pedestrian incidents are well-documented and multifaceted. Human error drives 87 percent of crashes, encompassing speeding, reckless driving, and impaired judgment. Intoxicated pedestrians pose a significant danger; alcohol impairment slows reactions and leads to poor decisions, such as crossing against traffic signals. South Africa ranks sixth globally in alcohol consumption per drinker, with 6.4 percent of all deaths linked to alcohol, and at least 27 percent of driver-error fatal crashes involving intoxication. Distracted pedestrians, often using cell phones or headphones, fail to monitor traffic, while reckless jaywalking—crossing mid-block or on freeways, where pedestrians are prohibited—exacerbates risks. Crime also plays a role, as assaults force individuals onto roadways in panic.
Poor infrastructure compounds these issues. Many urban and rural roads lack dedicated pedestrian paths, lane markings, or traffic calming devices like speed bumps and roundabouts. In residential zones with high foot traffic, the standard 60 km/h speed limit proves excessive, reducing survival chances in collisions. Weather events, particularly rain, contribute by impairing visibility and causing aquaplaning, while potholes and uneven surfaces add to instability. Jaywalking remains prevalent, with pedestrians crossing more than 50 meters from designated points, violating National Road Traffic Act Regulation 316.
Despite these challenges, evidence-based measures can mitigate risks for pedestrians. Visibility is foundational: wearing bright or reflective clothing increases detectability, especially at night or in low-light conditions like rain or fog. The Road Traffic Management Corporation emphasizes light-colored attire to enhance contrast against roadways. Obeying traffic signals and signs is non-negotiable; pedestrians must wait for green lights and yield appropriately at intersections, where they hold right-of-way.
Crossing protocols save lives. Always stop, look right, left, and right again before stepping into the road, listening for approaching vehicles. Cross only at designated zones: zebra crossings, traffic lights, intersections, or pedestrian bridges. Regulation 316 mandates crossings within 50 meters of these points; mid-road halts are prohibited to avoid stranding in traffic lanes. In school zones, scholar patrol programs educate children on these habits, reducing incidents near educational sites.
Path selection matters. Use sidewalks where available, sharing space responsibly without spilling into streets. Absent pavements, walk facing oncoming traffic on the right-hand edge, maintaining awareness. Avoid distractions: put away devices and focus on surroundings. For evening travel, plan routes with lighting and avoid isolated areas. Alcohol avoidance is critical; impaired pedestrians are 17 times more likely to encounter crashes due to delayed responses.
Broader systemic supports exist. Traffic calming—rumble strips, roundabouts, and reduced speed limits in pedestrian-heavy areas—lowers collision severity. Enforcement targets include more roadblocks, with over 997 conducted during the 2024/2025 festive season, alongside public campaigns via civil society and faith groups. The National Road Safety Strategy prioritizes pedestrian fitness through education in schools, focusing on core principles like directional scanning.
These facts illustrate a path forward: individual vigilance paired with infrastructure investment. Pedestrians, as 40 percent of road users in low- to middle-income contexts like South Africa, demand priority in safety efforts. By adhering to verified protocols—enhanced visibility, lawful crossings, and sober awareness—individuals can reduce personal exposure. Collective action, from stricter enforcement to equitable urban design, holds the key to halving fatalities by 2030, as targeted by global road safety plans. South Africa’s roads can evolve from peril to passage, one informed step at a time.
