PRETORIA, South Africa — The days of “one for the road” are officially numbered. In a decisive move to curb the carnage on South African roads, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has confirmed that the government is fast-tracking legislation to implement a total ban on alcohol consumption for motorists.
The announcement, made alongside the release of the 2025/26 festive season road safety report on January 25, 2026, signals the end of the long-standing legal blood-alcohol limit of 0.05g per 100ml.
The “Zero Means Zero” Mandate
Minister Creecy described the current laws as “unacceptable” and “outdated,” arguing that allowing any level of drinking before driving sends a dangerous and ambiguous message.
- The Amendment: The Department of Transport has begun the process of amending Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act. Once passed, any concentration of alcohol in a driver’s system will be a criminal offense.
- The Goal: The government aims to have the new zero-tolerance policy in effect by the 2026 Easter holiday period to prevent the usual spike in road fatalities.
- Severe Sanctions: Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Transport has gone a step further, proposing that offenders face a lifetime ban from holding a driving license.
The Stats Behind the Shift
The push for stricter laws follows alarming data from the recent festive season (December 1, 2025 – January 11, 2026):
- Arrest Surge: Out of 173,695 drivers tested, 8,561 tested positive for alcohol—a staggering 144% increase compared to the previous year.
- Fatalities: While overall road deaths saw a slight 5% decrease to 1,427, the role of alcohol remains a primary factor in nearly 40% of all annual road accidents.
- Economic Cost: Alcohol-related crashes are estimated to cost the South African economy approximately R18.2 billion every year.
Public and Political Reaction
The move has received strong backing from COSATU and the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee, who argue that decisive action is the only way to shift South Africa’s “unhealthy relationship” with alcohol and driving.
However, the proposal is not without critics. Some industry bodies and civil rights groups have raised concerns about “false positives” from certain medications or mouthwashes. In response, Minister Creecy emphasized that the policy must be “unambiguous” to save lives, noting that families who have lost loved ones deserve a clear law that prohibits drinking and driving entirely.
What This Means for You
Until the amendment is officially gazetted and signed into law by the President, the current limits (0.05g for private drivers and 0.02g for professional drivers) remain in force. However, motorists are urged to adapt their habits now, as law enforcement has been instructed to show zero leniency during the legislative transition.
Source Credit: Based on reporting by BusinessTech
and the Department of Transport.
