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The December holidays are finally here, a time for family, friends, summer road trips, and festive celebrations. But for many, this period also means crowded roads, long distances, and increased risk on our nation’s highways. According to national data, the 2024/25 festive season saw 1 502 lives tragically lost in 1 234 fatal crashes. Drivers and pedestrians alike accounted for these heartbreaking losses, a stark reminder that safety must remain a priority.

If you plan to travel this holiday, whether to the coast, to visit family, or on a getaway with friends, here’s your guide to staying safe, and what to do if things go wrong.

Why December Travel is Especially Risky

• As schools break up and businesses close for the holidays, many hit the roads, leading to heavy congestion on key routes including the N1, N2, N3, N4 and other major arteries.
• In 2024/25 alone, holiday-season crashes and fatalities rose by 4.2% and 5.3%, respectively, compared to the prior year.
• Whether it be speeding, drunk or distracted driving, fatigue or reckless overtaking, these are the main contributors to crashes during the holidays.
• A significant portion of road fatalities during festive periods involves pedestrians, often during night drives or in rural/less-lit areas.

Essential Holiday Road-Trip Safety Tips

Plan ahead and avoid peak-time stress

• Try to travel outside of known peak windows, and avoid busy Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings when traffic is at its worst.
• Plan your route, check for roadworks or closures, and keep alternate routes in mind.

Ensure your vehicle is roadworthy

• Before departure, do a full vehicle check: tyres (use the R2 coin tread test), tyre pressure (including spare), brakes, lights, wipers, fluids (engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid) and battery.
• Don’t overload, as heavy loads affect braking and handling, and can cause headlight angles to change, risking blinding other drivers.

Drive responsibly

• Excessive speed is one of the biggest killers on busy roads, so always obey speed limits.
• Fatigue can make you a danger on the road, almost like driving under the influence.
• Never drink and drive; the holiday season always sees a spike in alcohol-related crashes, all of which could have been avoided by not driving under the influence.
• No texting, phone calls, or adjusting the radio while driving. Keep your eyes on the road at all times.

Take frequent breaks

• Stop every 2 hours (or about every 200 kms) to rest, stretch, and refresh, and don’t push on if you feel tired.
• If possible, avoid driving at night, as poor visibility, fatigue, and increased pedestrian movement make after-dark travel riskier.

Pack a proper emergency and comfort kit

• Keep a first-aid kit, water, snacks, torch, jumper cables, spare wheel and basic tools within reach.
• Include a blanket or jacket, a charged cell phone, cash, a torch/flashlight, spare fluids (windshield washer, coolant), and if travelling with kids, snacks, spare clothes or diapers.
• Have important documents (licence, ID, car papers) and emergency numbers saved or easily accessible.

What to Do if Something Goes Wrong

Even with the best planning, emergencies, accidents, breakdowns, and sudden health issues can still happen. When they do:

• Pull over safely, turn on the hazard lights, switch off the engine, and exit the road if possible.
• Stay calm and assess what the problem is, check for injuries, hazards, and make sure everyone is safe before calling for help.
• Call for assistance immediately. In times such as this, that’s where having a trusted emergency response service can make all the difference.

And speaking of help…

Stay Connected

The FREE-to-use iER App serves as a critical lifeline, connecting you to emergency services quickly when unpredictable breakdowns, accidents, or crowd emergencies occur on the road. No more panicking or being stranded, as help is just a tap away.

You can download the FREE-to-use iER App from Google Play Store, the Apple App Store, or the Huawei App Gallery today!
Whether it’s a flat tyre in the pouring rain, a medical emergency, or a dangerous crash, iER helps ensure you’re never alone on the road.

Final Words

This festive season should be about joy, relaxation and reconnecting with loved ones, but all of this can easily be ruined if we take unnecessary risks on the road. By planning ahead, driving responsibly, preparing for emergencies, and making sure help is always just a call away via the iER App, you can help ensure your holiday ends in smiles and laughter, not tragedy. Here’s wishing you and your family a safe, peaceful, and happy December on South Africa’s roads.