South Africa is moving towards a strict zero percent blood alcohol policy for drivers as part of efforts to reduce road deaths and injuries.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy (68) said the government is pursuing legislative amendments to Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act, with plans to secure cabinet approval by the end of 2026.

“We are in the process of acquiring approval from the Chief State Law Advisor and Socio-Economic Impact Assessment System approval to secure cabinet concurrence for this amendment by the end of 2026,” Creecy said on Wednesday at the Road Safety Practitioners’ Colloquium in Ekurhuleni.

The proposed change comes as more than 18 000 people were arrested for drunk driving between March and the end of August this year alone, accounting for a third of all traffic arrests during the period.

South Africa currently permits a blood alcohol limit of 0,05 grams per 100 millilitres for drivers and 0,02 grams per 100 millilitres for professional drivers. The proposed zero percent policy would prohibit any alcohol consumption before driving.

Target to halve road deaths by 2030

Creecy said South Africa cannot normalise the close to 12 000 deaths recorded on the country’s roads annually. The government has set a target of halving annual road fatalities by 2030, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Recent data shows progress towards this goal. A total of 6 457 people died on the country’s roads from 1 January to 23 August 2026, representing a nine percent overall reduction in fatalities compared to 2025.

The country recorded six percent fewer annual crashes and fatalities in 2025 compared to 2024. The 2025/26 festive season road safety campaign indicated a five percent reduction in both road fatalities and crashes, while five provinces recorded a reduction in fatalities compared to the same period in the previous year.

During the 2026 Easter long weekend, the Road Traffic Management Corporation recorded the second-lowest crashes and fatalities over the past four-year Easter periods. When compared to the peak in 2024, crashes declined by 24% and fatalities by 39%.

“While these statistics are commendable, the numbers remain too high, and every life lost represents the loss of a loved one, a parent, and a breadwinner,” Creecy said.

Pedestrians account for nearly half of deaths

Pedestrians accounted for 48% of all road fatalities in the first eight months of 2026. Over a third of all fatalities occurred in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.

The Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and North West met or exceeded the 10% target for reducing fatalities in their respective provinces.

To address the high number of pedestrian deaths, authorities have focused on preventing people from crossing and walking on highways. Traffic policing authorities have intensified patrols of areas of entertainment near highways to prevent drunk pedestrians from running across major roads and encouraging them to use designated road crossings.

Community partnerships key to success

Creecy said the progress in reducing fatalities and crashes is the direct result of coordinated law enforcement, strategic partnerships with civil society, and a shift in the collective consciousness of road users.

“We have been able to record successes and lower accident rates through mobilising communities through engagements with civil society, traditional leaders, and faith-based organisations,” she said.

The collaboration between the Road Traffic Management Corporation and provinces has led to over 14 000 road safety education and awareness interventions being conducted this year. The department and corporation have also conducted a coordinated media campaign with over 50 media outlets, focusing on weather advisories, traffic advisories, and roadworthiness and vehicle compliance inspections.

“Our visibility in and around pedestrian accident-prone areas, assisted by the communities and support from the South African Police Service, will ensure that we keep the momentum of reducing road accidents,” Creecy said

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