Over 400 people killed on SA roads so far - South African Broadcasting Corporation

As major highways across the country show an increase of cars, police are out in full force. (SABC)

Preliminary figures show that over 400 people have died on South Africa's roads since the start of the festive season.

In the past 24 hours, several multiple fatality accidents have occurred in Gauteng, North West, KwaZulu- Natal and the Free State. Six people died after their car crashed into a tree in Germiston, on Gauteng's East Rand.

While in Sasolburg, a delivery van and a car collided, leaving six dead. In another fatal crash in the North West near Rustenburg, five children died after the bakkie they were travelling in lost control.

In KwaZulu-Natal, traffic officials are on full alert. Just last night eight fatalities were recorded there. In the worst crash, five people died in Ashburton. This after a bakkie carrying 11 people lost control and overturned.

Five people remain in a serious condition in hospital. The KZN Department of Transport's Kwanele Ncalane says: "It's unacceptable that if you look at this weekend alone we have lost eight people just in a matter of one night, it is alarming."

In Cape Town, thousands of travellers packed into the busy Joe Gqabi taxi rank, most heading for the Eastern Cape.

Across the country traffic officers are out in full force as all major highways showed an increase in traffic. Traffic officials say the biggest challenge is to get motorists and passengers to buckle up. The Road Traffic Management Corporation says they will be focusing on getting drivers and passengers to buckle up.