Welcome to #ProjectEDWARDSA2024 – a National Road Safety Campaign with one clear mission: to save lives and ensure safer roads for all South Africans.
What is Project EDWARD?
Project EDWARD (Every Day Without A Road Death) originated in the UK in 2016. It began as an annual event spearheaded by police and other road safety agencies. Over time, it evolved into a year-round initiative supported by government agencies, emergency services, businesses, and road safety organisations.
In 2024, Drive More Safely, a registered NPO founded by Alida Venter, introduced Project EDWARD to South Africa after obtaining permission from its UK founders. With the collaboration of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and the support of the Department of Transport, #ProjectEDWARDSA2024 was launched as the official National Festive Season Road Safety Campaign.
2024/25 Festive Season Campaign Launch
On 1 December 2024, the Minister of Transport, Ms. Barbara Creecy, along with Deputy Minister Mr. Mkhuleko Hlengwa and the MECs of Transport and Community Safety from all nine provinces, officially launched the 2024/25 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign in Hammanskraal.
Themed “Every Day Without A Road Death,” this campaign calls on all South Africans to take urgent and decisive action to make road safety a priority every day.
In her address, Minister Creecy stated:
“From today, the 1st of December 2024, we, South Africans, must say that the carnage on our roads must end. This 2024 festive season – and heading into 2025 – we must not only say we are going to change our behaviour on the roads, we must act. Each one of us must do everything possible to save lives.”
Why This Campaign Matters
Road crashes in South Africa have devastating consequences:
- In 2023, there were 10,180 fatal crashes, resulting in 11,883 deaths.
- Of these, 5,360 pedestrians lost their lives.
- 21.3% of road deaths involved hit-and-run incidents.
- Alcohol and speeding remain leading causes of road deaths.
Despite a 4.4% decrease in fatalities from 2022, one death is one too many. By November 2024, 10,154 road deaths had already been reported. Behind every statistic is a life lost, a grieving family, or a survivor facing life-changing injuries.
The festive season is particularly dangerous, with 1,285 fatalities recorded during the 2023 festive period alone.
These figures are more than just numbers – each statistic represents a life lost, a grieving family, or someone facing lifelong injuries.
Key Campaign Pillars
#ProjectEDWARDSA2024 focuses on four main pillars to create safer roads:
- Responsible Driving: Encouraging all road users to follow the rules and prioritise safety.
- Pedestrian Safety: Protecting the most vulnerable road users.
- Enforcement and Education: Promoting compliance through law enforcement and awareness campaigns.
- Collaboration: Uniting government, businesses, community groups, and individuals in the fight to save lives.
Key actions include:
- Road safety awareness campaigns with messages promoting responsible behaviour.
- Stringent monitoring and enforcement on 20 high-priority routes identified for high crash rates.
- Educational initiatives targeting drivers and pedestrians.
Targeted Interventions and High-Risk Routes
The RTMC has identified 20 high-risk routes based on accident data. These routes will be under heightened monitoring and enforcement to reduce crashes and fatalities.
Examples of high-priority routes include:
- Limpopo: R71 Mankweng, R37 Mecklenburg, N1 Naboomspruit
- Mpumalanga: R573 KwaMhlanga, N4 Vosman, N4 Nelspruit
- Gauteng: R21 Kempton Park
- North West: N12 Potchefstroom, N12 Klerksdorp
- KwaZulu-Natal: N2 Pongola, N2 Umkomaas
- Eastern Cape: R61 Mzamba, N2 Libode, N2 Idutywa, R61 Mthatha, N2 Mount Ayliff, R61 Libode, N2 Mthatha
- Western Cape: N2 Khayelitsha
Road Safety Messages and Education
A series of Road Safety Messages will be shared across social media and other platforms to educate the public, promote responsible road use, and create awareness about safe behaviours.
