South Africa is considering introducing a strict zero blood alcohol limit for drivers as part of the government's efforts to combat drunk driving. This move comes amid thousands of arrests and over six thousand road deaths this year.
Transport Minister Barbara Crisi stated that the government is working on amending Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act and plans to seek Cabinet approval by the end of 2026.
These measures follow the detention of over 18,000 people for drunk driving between March and the end of August, accounting for about a third of all traffic arrests during that period. Speaking at a Road Safety Specialist Colloquium in Ekurhuleni this week, Crisi emphasized that South Africa can no longer consider the scale of tragedies on its roads as normal.
She noted that the country cannot accept close to 12,000 annual road fatalities as commonplace. The government has set a goal to halve road deaths by 2030, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Recent data shows that from January 1st to August 23rd, 6,457 people died on South African roads, representing a 9% decrease compared to the same period last year. However, the burden remains particularly heavy in the provinces of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, which together accounted for more than a third of all road deaths in the first eight months of the year. Meanwhile, the Western Cape continues to record a significant number of intoxicated drivers, indicating that alcohol-related fatalities remain a national issue.
Crisi reported that the country has made progress: in 2025, the number of road traffic accidents and deaths decreased by more than 6% compared to 2024. Furthermore, the 2025/26 holiday season also recorded a 5% reduction in accidents and deaths. During the Easter long weekend, the Road Traffic Management Corporation registered the second-lowest number of accidents and deaths in four years. Compared to the 2024 peak, the number of accidents dropped by 24%, and mortality by 39%.
Nevertheless, Crisi warned that these improvements should not lead to complacency. She stressed: 'While these statistics are commendable, the figures remain too high, and every lost life means the loss of a loved one, a parent, and a provider.'
Consequently, the government needs to intensify existing intervention measures, including increased enforcement in entertainment venues and on highways, where intoxicated pedestrians are also at risk. She added that the proposed zero-alcohol law is part of a broader initiative involving road services, public organizations, civil society, and SAPS.
The Motor Industry Sector Association (MISA) also supported the proposed amendments to the National Road Traffic Act, which would introduce a strict zero blood alcohol percentage for drivers. MISA believes that the proposed amendment to Section 65 is a critical step in addressing the crisis of road fatalities in South Africa. The association notes that approximately 12,000 people die on South African roads annually, and the Road Traffic Management Corporation estimates that alcohol contributes to at least 27% of road deaths.
MISA CEO Martle Cater stated that the zero-tolerance policy will send a clear signal to drivers. He remarked: 'A zero-percent alcohol policy sends a clear message that no amount of alcohol is safe while driving.'
Cater expressed support for Crisi's efforts to reduce preventable road deaths in the country, stating that 'MISA supports the Minister in her attempts to ensure that every South African can travel without fear of losing their life due to preventable negligence. This initiative is not only about compliance but also about protecting families, workers, and communities.'