Winter roads turn deadly: RTMC warns of black ice, fog and rising pedestrian deaths

Who is at risk

The RTMC says pedestrians currently account for nearly half of all road fatalities nationwide, and has made protecting vulnerable road users a central focus of its winter road‑safety campaign.

Weather threats across regions

RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane highlighted regional weather threats that complicate travel this season. He pointed to dense morning mist and fog in KwaZulu‑Natal, Limpopo and the Western Cape, and warned of invisible black ice on roads in the Free State and the Eastern Cape, and on high‑altitude mountainous passes.

“Human behaviour remains the leading factor in road traffic incidents. As visibility drops during these winter months, both motorists and pedestrians must drastically change their behaviour to adapt to the conditions,” Zwane said.

Practical precautions for pedestrians and drivers

Authorities are urging road users to adopt specific safety measures during the winter months.

Pedestrian precautions

• Maximise visibility: wear bright or reflective clothing; avoid dark colours in low‑light hours.
• Never walk under the influence: alcohol impairs judgment and is cited as a major cause of fatal crashes.
• Use designated crossings: cross only at intersections, traffic lights, or pedestrian bridges.
• Stay off highways: walking or crossing national highways is illegal and dangerous.

Motorist precautions

• Check lights and wipers: ensure all lights function and keep windscreens clean to avoid glare.
• Maintain tyres for grip: the legal tread depth minimum is 1.6mm (3mm recommended) to help prevent aquaplaning or sliding.
• Increase following distance: extend from two seconds to at least four in poor conditions.
• Manage fatigue: take breaks every two hours or 200km.
• Drive on visibility, not memory: in fog or smoke, use low beams and hazards; stop safely if visibility drops below 50m.

Enforcement and response

Zwane said law‑enforcement agencies, together with provincial traffic authorities, are scaling up 24‑hour operations and visible policing along high‑risk corridors. He added that enforcement will focus on speeding, vehicle roadworthiness and driving or walking under the influence of alcohol.

“Our priority is ensuring that those travelling on foot are visible, and that drivers adjust their speed to match the diminished visibility,” Zwane said.

Shared responsibility

The RTMC emphasised that road safety is a shared responsibility. By making deliberate choices to prioritise safety from increasing visibility on foot to reducing speed behind the wheel authorities say South Africans can reduce the winter carnage and help ensure that every road user arrives alive.