About 840 people were killed while more than 280 000 drivers have been fined for speeding on South African roads since the beginning of December holidays, the Department of Transport said on Sunday.

Spokesman Logan Maistry said in a statement that at the same time some 200 other drivers were arrested for reckless and negligent driving.

Preliminary reports also showed that of the 840 people killed in 654 crashes recorded across the country, 218 were drivers, 327 passengers and 295 pedestrians.

Maistry said the thousands of arrests and fines since December 1 as part of the Festive Season Arrive Alive Road Safety Campaign was a warning to other drivers that they will be caught and punished for traffic offences.

He also warned that from next year, when the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) and the Points Demerit System will be introduced, drivers who disregard the law will also then forfeit their drivers licences.