Road safety statistics have revealed that young breadwinners were among the 172 people who lost their lives on Mpumalanga roads during the 2024/2025 festive season, despite the province recording fewer crashes overall. “The festive season is meant to be a period of rest, family, and renewal. While the number of crashes dropped compared to the previous festive season, fatalities increased by 29, raising alarm about the growing severity of collisions on the province’s roads. He said the festive season, traditionally associated with rest, travel and family gatherings, was an irreversible loss for many households across the province. He said road safety education would also be strengthened, particularly targeting pedestrians, passengers and young drivers, alongside stricter consequence management for reckless and criminal road behaviour.