The South African government is moving ahead with plans to introduce a strict zero percent blood alcohol limit for motorists as part of efforts to reduce road deaths.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy says proposed amendments to Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act are currently being processed.
Government is seeking approval from the Chief State Law Advisor and the Socio-Economic Impact Assessment System (SEIAS), with the aim of obtaining Cabinet approval for the proposed changes before the end of 2026.
Speaking at the Road Safety Practitioners’ Colloquium in Ekurhuleni on Wednesday, Creecy said more than 18 000 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol between March and the end of August 2026. This represented about one-third of all traffic-related arrests during that period.
Thousands still dying on South African roads
Creecy said the country cannot accept the continued loss of almost 12 000 lives on its roads every year.
Government has set a target of reducing annual road fatalities by half by 2030, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
There have already been signs of progress. According to Creecy, South Africa recorded more than a 6% decline in both crashes and fatalities in 2025 compared with 2024.
The 2025/26 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign also recorded a 5% reduction in crashes and fatalities, with five provinces reporting fewer deaths than during the corresponding period a year earlier.
The Easter period also produced encouraging figures. The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) recorded its second-lowest number of crashes and fatalities over the past four Easter periods during the 2026 Easter long weekend.
Compared with the peak recorded in 2024, crashes dropped by 24%, while fatalities fell by 39%.
Despite the improvements, Creecy stressed that the figures remain unacceptably high.
6457 deaths in first eight months
Road crash figures for the first eight months of 2026 show that:
-6457 people died on South African roads between 1 January and 23 August.
-This represents a 9% decrease in fatalities compared with the same period in 2025.
-Pedestrians made up 48% of all road deaths.
-More than a third of fatalities occurred in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
-The Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and North West either achieved or surpassed the national target of a 10% reduction in fatalities.
Creecy attributed the decline in deaths and crashes to stronger law enforcement, cooperation with civil society and increased awareness among road users.
However, she said authorities cannot afford to become complacent.
Focus on pedestrian safety
With pedestrians accounting for nearly half of all fatalities, the government has increased efforts to prevent people from walking or crossing major highways.
Traffic authorities have also stepped up patrols around entertainment areas located close to highways, particularly to stop intoxicated pedestrians from attempting to cross busy roads.
Creecy said greater visibility by traffic officials, combined with public education and support from communities and the South African Police Service (SAPS), would be critical to maintaining the downward trend in road deaths.
She also highlighted the importance of cooperation between government and communities, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations and other civil society groups.
More than 14 000 road safety education and awareness initiatives have been conducted this year through cooperation between the RTMC and provincial authorities.
The Department of Transport and the RTMC have additionally run a coordinated media campaign involving more than 50 media outlets, focusing on issues including weather and traffic warnings, roadworthiness and vehicle compliance inspections.
Creecy said continued cooperation across society will be essential if South Africa is to achieve its target of significantly reducing road deaths by 2030.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy says proposed amendments to Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act are currently being processed.
Government is seeking approval from the Chief State Law Advisor and the Socio-Economic Impact Assessment System (SEIAS), with the aim of obtaining Cabinet approval for the proposed changes before the end of 2026.
Speaking at the Road Safety Practitioners’ Colloquium in Ekurhuleni on Wednesday, Creecy said more than 18 000 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol between March and the end of August 2026. This represented about one-third of all traffic-related arrests during that period.
Thousands still dying on South African roads
Creecy said the country cannot accept the continued loss of almost 12 000 lives on its roads every year.
Government has set a target of reducing annual road fatalities by half by 2030, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
There have already been signs of progress. According to Creecy, South Africa recorded more than a 6% decline in both crashes and fatalities in 2025 compared with 2024.
The 2025/26 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign also recorded a 5% reduction in crashes and fatalities, with five provinces reporting fewer deaths than during the corresponding period a year earlier.
The Easter period also produced encouraging figures. The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) recorded its second-lowest number of crashes and fatalities over the past four Easter periods during the 2026 Easter long weekend.
Compared with the peak recorded in 2024, crashes dropped by 24%, while fatalities fell by 39%.
Despite the improvements, Creecy stressed that the figures remain unacceptably high.
6457 deaths in first eight months
Road crash figures for the first eight months of 2026 show that:
-6457 people died on South African roads between 1 January and 23 August.
-This represents a 9% decrease in fatalities compared with the same period in 2025.
-Pedestrians made up 48% of all road deaths.
-More than a third of fatalities occurred in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
-The Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and North West either achieved or surpassed the national target of a 10% reduction in fatalities.
Creecy attributed the decline in deaths and crashes to stronger law enforcement, cooperation with civil society and increased awareness among road users.
However, she said authorities cannot afford to become complacent.
Focus on pedestrian safety
With pedestrians accounting for nearly half of all fatalities, the government has increased efforts to prevent people from walking or crossing major highways.
Traffic authorities have also stepped up patrols around entertainment areas located close to highways, particularly to stop intoxicated pedestrians from attempting to cross busy roads.
Creecy said greater visibility by traffic officials, combined with public education and support from communities and the South African Police Service (SAPS), would be critical to maintaining the downward trend in road deaths.
She also highlighted the importance of cooperation between government and communities, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations and other civil society groups.
More than 14 000 road safety education and awareness initiatives have been conducted this year through cooperation between the RTMC and provincial authorities.
The Department of Transport and the RTMC have additionally run a coordinated media campaign involving more than 50 media outlets, focusing on issues including weather and traffic warnings, roadworthiness and vehicle compliance inspections.
Creecy said continued cooperation across society will be essential if South Africa is to achieve its target of significantly reducing road deaths by 2030.
