It’s that time of year again - the time when thousands of cars, taxis, buses and trucks will be sharing the roads. Every one of those vehicles will be carrying the most precious cargo imaginable: moms, dads, children, grandchildren, aunts, uncles and loved ones heading to and from their holiday destinations. And then we have the trucks - those unsung heroes of the economy - driven by equally precious moms and dads who’ll be doing their usual job of keeping the wheels of the economy moving but with one major difference: this time they’ll be surrounded by hundreds of “dinky toys” weaving in-between them.
Our plea to truck drivers is simple: please take extra care around these little ’uns. You’re going to see some shocking driving out there. Drivers who don’t even know your legal speed limit is 80 km/h will get frustrated, hoot at you, flash lights at you, even curse you for “going too slowly”. Then, in their ignorance, some will overtake you on a solid line, on a blind rise or on a corner. As dumb as those moves are, try your best to let them get past and back into a safe lane.
But for some of those impatient drivers, it won’t end that way. Some will smash head-on into oncoming vehicles. And they will die. That’s the tragic thing about this so-called “Festive” season: for many, it will be their final trip. Last year, between 1 December 2024 and 11 January 2025, South Africa recorded 1 589 fatalities and 1 286 fatal crashes. So, what will the numbers be this year? How many families will lose loved ones? Come January, what will the body count be? Will you - or someone you love - be part of it?
This time of year makes me angry because so much of this loss is avoidable. Road safety is not complicated. Yet, every year, my inbox fills with well-intentioned press releases urging people to do pre-holiday vehicle checks: tyres, lights, wipers, batteries, fluid levels. Why do people need to be reminded once a year to do what should be a normal part of being a licensed driver? Ensuring your car, truck, taxi or bus is roadworthy should be routine - not a seasonal activity.
So yes, by all means check your vehicle before hitting the road. But just as importantly, check yourself. You don’t need a mechanic for this. Just a mirror and some honesty. Are you going to tailgate the vehicle in front of you, ignoring safe following distances? Text while driving? Drink and drive? Speed like a maniac? Drive recklessly? Do you intend to obey the rules of the road or are you the “boss” of the road who believes rules are for everyone else but not for you? If that’s you, whether you drive a car, taxi, bus or truck, adjust your attitude - or stay home. We do not want you on our roads.
Why do I say attitude matters as much as a roadworthy vehicle? Because, depending on the source, over 90% of crashes come down to human error. Not mechanical failure. Not bad luck. Human error. You! Yes, it’s You! So, check yourself before you head out. Make sure you are roadworthy. If your attitude is loose, tighten the bolts.
Sadly, it’s going to happen again this year. Hundreds will die over this period. Hundreds of families will be ripped apart. And once again, I dread - as I do every year - that January press briefing when the Minister of Transport announces the Festive Season road fatality figures. I dread it because for me, one death is one too many, and I know the number reported will be far more than one. Will your name be in that count? Ask yourself that as you look in the mirror.
Patrick O’Leary
Managing Editor, FleetWatch