Latest Traffic Crash Report confirms one death on our roads every 11 hours and 40 minutes
22 December 2025
The City’s Urban Mobility Directorate has released its latest Traffic Crash Report that provides statistics on all reported road traffic crashes that happened in Cape Town from 2021 to 2024. According to the report, a total of 3 007 people were killed in 262 225 traffic crashes over this four-year period; that is on average, one death every 11 hours and 40 minutes, with 68% of the deceased being pedestrians.
The Traffic Crash Report is available here: https://bit.ly/4pLVLHW
Sound: https://bit.ly/3YF4uQh
The Traffic Crash Report is based on the data that has been extracted from Accident Report forms provided by the 79 South African Police Stations and Traffic Centres based in Cape Town.
‘It is absolutely shocking to see how many people are killed and injured on our roads every day, and that the majority by far are pedestrians who are extremely vulnerable in an environment where drivers often speed or don’t stop at red traffic signals.
‘We collect and analyse the statistics on a yearly basis to assist us with policy formation to improve road safety, and for traffic and transport planning studies, road safety plans and so forth. I invite the public to peruse the report, it is available on the City’s website and makes for somber reading,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.
Quick facts:
739 people were killed in 56 424 reported crashes in 2021, and 8 358 were injured
779 people were killed in 66 332 reported crashes in 2022, and 14 049 were injured
785 people were killed in 66 593 reported crashes in 2023, and 11 750 were injured
704 people were killed in 72 876 reported crashes in 2024, and 15 145 were injured
In total, 3 007 people were killed in traffic crashes in Cape Town between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2024 – this is on average, one death every 11 hours and 40 minutes
On average, 181 traffic crashes happened every day
Fatal crashes accounted for nearly 1% of all reported cases
68% of all persons killed were pedestrians; 1% were cyclists; 14% drivers; 5% motorcyclists; and 12% were passengers
24% of all persons killed were female; and 76% male
3 124 children between the ages of 1 and 14 years were involved in these crashes
Friday was the worst day for crashes, followed by Tuesday; with most crashes happening during the morning peak (07:00 to 09:00) and evening peak period (17:00 to 18:00)
The annual cost of the crashes amounted to over R7 billion for 2024 only (the cost estimates draw on the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s estimated cost of crashes which provides 2015 unit costs per injury and per crash)
‘As we are gathering with friends and family to celebrate this festive season, I want to remind all drivers that we can save lives and avoid traffic crashes by keeping to the rules of the road, and sharing the roads with other users such as cyclists and motorcyclists. I also want to urge pedestrians to always use pedestrian crossings and to make sure it is safe to cross before doing so,’ said Councillor Quintas.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
