SA Pushes for Zero Alcohol Limit for Drivers as Strict New Law Takes Shape
- Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announced plans to amend the National Road Traffic Act to enforce a zero percent blood alcohol limit
- More than 18,000 people were arrested for drunk driving between March and August 2026, making up a third of all traffic arrests
- South Africa recorded nearly 6,500 road deaths in the first eight months of 2026, with pedestrians accounting for almost half of all fatalities
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South Africa is moving closer to banning any level of alcohol in the bloodstream for drivers. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy confirmed in a report published by SA News on Wednesday, 2 September 2026, that the government is actively working to change the law.
Speaking at the Road Safety Practitioners’ Colloquium in Ekurhuleni, Creecy said amendments to Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act are being prepared. The department is seeking approval from both the Chief State Law Advisor and the Socio-Economic Impact Assessment System before bringing the changes to cabinet before the end of 2026.
The urgency behind the proposal is hard to ignore. Between March and late August this year alone, more than 18,000 people were arrested for drunk driving, accounting for one in every three traffic arrests recorded during that period.
Road deaths still alarmingly high
South Africa loses close to 12,000 people on its roads every year. Creecy said the country cannot continue treating that figure as acceptable. The government has reportedly committed to cutting annual road fatalities in half by 2030, in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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From 1 January to 23 August 2026, a total of 6,457 people died on South African roads. That figure represents a 9% drop compared to the same period in 2025. Pedestrians made up 48% of those deaths, and more than a third of all fatalities occurred in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
The Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and North West each met or surpassed the 10% fatality reduction target set for their provinces.
According to the report, during the 2026 Easter long weekend, crashes dropped by 24% and fatalities by 39% compared to the 2024 peak. The festive season campaign earlier in the year also delivered a 5% reduction in both crashes and road deaths.
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Community partnerships driving progress
Creecy credited coordinated enforcement and community engagement as key drivers of the improvements. This year, authorities have targeted pedestrian behaviour near highways, intensifying patrols around entertainment venues close to major roads to prevent people from crossing on foot while intoxicated.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation partnered with provinces to carry out more than 14,000 road safety education and awareness interventions in 2026. A coordinated media campaign reaching over 50 outlets covered weather advisories, traffic updates and vehicle roadworthiness checks.
Engagement with traditional leaders, faith-based organisations and civil society groups has also played a role in spreading the road safety message at a community level.
“Every life lost represents the loss of a loved one, a parent, and a breadwinner,” Creecy said.
“We therefore need to ramp up and intensify our existing efforts to continue seeing a reduction in these figures.”
More stories involving Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy
- The Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, announced the dissolution of the Road Accident Fund board.
- On Thursday, 15 January 2026, Sol Phenduka sparked debate after joking about Transport Minister Barbara Creecy’s plan to ban all alcohol consumption for drivers.
- The Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, said that the bus, which was carrying passengers from South Africa to Zimbabwe, was overloaded.
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Source: Briefly News
