The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) says it is increasing road-safety efforts as the festive season travel period approaches.

Through its Hlokomela campaign, Santaco will run roadworthiness inspections, safety awareness drives, and outreach programmes in all provinces.

Spokesperson Rebecca Phala says the council will collaborate with government, law-enforcement agencies, and civil-society partners to encourage responsible travel.

“Our priority is simple and clear: every commuter must arrive safely at their destination. The festive season increases travel volumes and risk, and Santaco will be on the ground across the country to support road-safety operations and reinforce responsible behaviour among operators.”

Phala urges motorists to work with road traffic management authorities to ensure the safety of all those traveling on the roads.

“Safety is a shared responsibility and as such, we urge South Africans to work together to make this festive season safer for everyone.”

The programme runs until 13 January 2026. Meanwhile, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy says that, for the first time in five years, the country has managed to reduce the road death toll by 700 so far this year.

She spoke at the launch of the 365 Days Arrive Alive Road Safety Campaign over the weekend. The campaign includes intensified law enforcement operations with 24-hour patrols, particularly on weekends and in high-risk areas.

Creecy says that while a reduction in road fatalities has been recorded, the death toll still remains high.

“With over 9 400 fatalities on our roads already this year, we all agree that the accident rate is much, much too high, and there is still a lot more work that we have to do.”

The Minister emphasised that enforcement alone would not reduce fatalities; public education and community involvement remain central.

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