Cape town: The Western Cape Mobility Department has expressed concern over the high number of heavy motor vehicle accidents recorded since the start of December 2025. “From 1 December 2025, the province has recorded 43 incidents involving heavy motor vehicles on Western Cape roads. These include breakdowns, collisions, and overturned vehicles. This trend is worrying, especially ahead of the expected high traffic volumes as residents and visitors travel in and out of the province for the holidays,” the department said in a statement on Friday.

According to South African Government News Agency, the department highlighted that heavy motor vehicle incidents not only pose a serious safety risk to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians but also cause major traffic delays and disrupt economic activity. Clearing these scenes can take between two to six hours, or longer, depending on the nature of the incident. “Road safety is a shared responsibility. Every overturned truck is a preventable tragedy that endangers lives and hampers mobility. We urge the freight industry to take immediate action to improve safety standards and protect all road users,” said Western Cape Mobility MEC, Isaac Sileku.

The department emphasized the critical role that the freight industry plays in keeping the economy moving and urged operators and drivers to partner with it in prioritizing safety during this peak travel period. Freight operators and drivers are encouraged to take necessary precautions by ensuring vehicles are properly maintained and roadworthy, adhering to speed limits and load regulations, managing driver fatigue through adequate rest periods, avoiding reckless overtaking, and complying with all road rules and instructions from traffic authorities.

Provincial Traffic Law Enforcement will be on duty 24/7 across all key routes this weekend to ensure the safety of residents and visitors. With high traffic volumes expected this weekend, motorists and pedestrians are also urged to take extra care. Motorists are advised to check their vehicles before traveling, obey all road signs and rules, expect congestion, be patient and courteous, take regular rest breaks on long journeys, and make mindful decisions for safety. Pedestrians are urged to cross only at designated places, ensure visibility at night, avoid walking on highways, and remain vigilant around traffic.