By now most of us are consumed with holiday plans: what food we'll be making for the big family get-together, what new clothes we're splashing out on for that hot party, the route we've mapped out for the road trip, what gifts we're buying for our favourite people, what beach we're going to spend the most time on.
Some of us might even be wondering if we'll have enough money left over in January for the school uniforms, or for transport to get to work and back, or for meals on those last few days before the first payday of 2025.
But very few of us have given a thought about whether we'll still be alive after the holidays.
Yet we should. Because though Christmas is a time for fun, it is also a time when road accidents, drownings and gender-based violence increase. The hard fact is that thousands of South Africans who are alive today will not be come January. It's easy to say it won't happen to me. Until it does.
The biggest bloodbath is on our roads. According to the transport department, 1,184 people died on South African roads during the festive season last year — a slight decline from 1,212 the previous year. Among them was playwright Dr Mbongeni Ngema, MP Alice Mthembu, two KwaZulu-Natal medical doctors, Limpopo traffic inspector Kedibone Railo, who was hit by a speeding motorist while on duty on the N1, as well as a young newlywed, Pretty Matimba Mavundla, who died seven days after getting married.
Unpacking road deaths from the 2023 festive season, the department found:
- human factors contributed to 80.8% of the crashes, environmental factors 10.4% and vehicle factors 8.8%;
- most crashes took place between 7pm and 10pm;
- most fatalities were recorded on Sundays;
- 40.9% of those who died were pedestrians, 33.6% were passengers and 24.6% drivers;
- most of those who died were aged between 25 and 44; and
- speeding was the most common traffic offence, followed by driving without a seat belt, driving without a licence, driving an unlicensed vehicle and driving with worn tyres.
Drownings also increase during the end-of-year holidays, for obvious reasons. While statistics are not as clear as road deaths, four people drowned at Durban beaches in just two days this week, including three men celebrating a year-end function.
Then there is the physical violence that often comes with the increase in drinking alcohol. NGO TEARS Foundation, which offers a free 24-hour national abuse assistance service, says throughout the year its intervention specialists receive a minimum of 400 calls a day from victims of abuse. But over the festive season, they typically receive more than 40,000 calls for help.
These are sobering statistics. They are not included here to depress, but rather to help us realise how important it is to make considered decisions over the holidays.
The festive season is a time for celebration, relaxation and socialising — to unwind and recharge. It is a well-needed break at the end of what has been a difficult year for many. We all have a right to have fun, but we must do it responsibly. Don't speed on the roads, don't drink and drive. Don't behave in an irresponsible or reckless manner. Take every precaution you can to stay safe.
Stay alive and live long enough to complain about being broke at the end of January.
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