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SA Government pushes for strict 0% alcohol behind the wheel by the end of 2026

By Zuko Komisa

  • Government is pursuing amendments to Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act to introduce a strict zero-percent blood alcohol limit for drivers by the end of 2026.
  • Road deaths fell by 9% in the first eight months of 2026, building on reductions recorded during both the 2025/26 festive period and the 2026 Easter weekend.
  • Authorities are intensifying highway patrols and public awareness campaigns to protect pedestrians, who currently account for 48% of all road fatalities.

South Africa’s Transport Ministry is advancing legislative reforms to establish a strict zero-percent blood alcohol limit for motorists.

Addressing the Road Safety Practitioners’ Colloquium in Ekurhuleni, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy confirmed that proposed amendments to Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act are currently undergoing legal and economic impact reviews.

The policy shift follows drunk-driving arrests exceeding 18,000 between March and August 2026 representing a third of all traffic-related arrests in that period.

“We are in the process of acquiring approval from the Chief State Law Advisor and Socio-Economic Impact Assessment System (SEIAS) approval to secure cabinet concurrence for this amendment by the end of 2026,” Minister Creecy stated.

The government aims to halve annual road deaths by 2030 in alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

National data reflects steady progress, with road fatalities dropping by 9% between 1 January and 23 August 2026 compared to the previous year. This builds on a 24% decline in crashes and a 39% drop in fatalities during the 2026 Easter period compared to 2024 peaks.

Despite these improvements, pedestrian deaths remain a critical concern, accounting for 48% of all road fatalities.

To counter this, law enforcement has stepped up patrols near highways and entertainment precincts to deter impaired pedestrians from crossing major roads, alongside delivering over 14,000 community safety education interventions nationwide.

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