Government is moving to introduce a zero-alcohol limit for all motorists to curb road trauma, Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa told stakeholders in Midrand on October 8.

Speaking at the South African Breweries (SAB) sharp responsible partnerships event, held during #CheersToResponsibilityWeek and transport month, Hlengwa said alcohol contributes to about 27% of road fatalities.

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South Africa recorded 7 462 road fatalities between January 1 and September 27 — a reduction of 677 deaths, or 8%, compared with the same period last year. While welcoming the decline, Hlengwa said the country remained 137 deaths short of its 10% reduction target for the period.

To address the shortfall, government aims to strengthen Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act. “The purpose is not simply to increase prosecutions; it is to change behaviour, prevent crashes and save lives,” said Hlengwa.

Law enforcement officers arrested 19 829 motorists for drunk driving between March and September. During the same period, officers checked more than 8.5 million vehicles and conducted over 17 000 operations.

Nearly 3.5 million traffic violation notices were issued, while more than 43 000 vehicles were impounded and almost 48 400 unroadworthy vehicles discontinued.

Despite enforcement efforts, Hlengwa stressed that lasting safety depends on changing attitudes, noting pedestrian deaths remain high at 3 091 this year.

Although pedestrian fatalities fell by 19% compared with last year, they still account for about 42% of national road deaths.
SAB vice-president of corporate affairs Zoleka Lisa moderated a panel discussion titled The Public and Private Partnership Blueprint That Works at the event.

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SAB social impact specialist Aviwe Filita highlighted the company’s drive sharp programme, which supports 34 alcohol evidence centres (AECs) and has contributed to more than 60 000 drink-driving arrests since 2022.

Filita explained that around 2023, the initiative pivoted to mobile AECs to eliminate the two-hour gap between detention and testing that allowed suspects to evade prosecution.

The mobile units feature four compartments, a nursing room for blood sampling, an evidentiary breath alcohol testing (ebat) machine room, an administration office, and a processing space, along with 360° cameras to protect suspects and officers.

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