Zero blood-alcohol limit proposed as thousands die on SA roads

The South African government is considering the introduction of a strict zero blood-alcohol limit for motorists as part of its ongoing efforts to combat drunk driving and address the high number of road deaths. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announced that amendments to Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act are being pursued, with the goal of Cabinet approval by the end of 2026.

The move follows over 18,000 arrests for drunken driving between March and the end of August, accounting for about a third of all traffic arrests during this period. Creecy emphasized that South Africa cannot normalize the annual loss of close to 12,000 lives on its roads and has set a target of halving annual road fatalities by 2030, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

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