Transport minister targets zero alcohol limit for drivers

Government is moving to tighten restrictions on driving under the influence of alcohol.
This as the Department of Transport (DoT) continues to pursue legislative amendments to the National Road Traffic Act to implement a strict zero per cent blood alcohol policy, reports Zululand Observer.

“We are in the process of acquiring approval from the Chief State Law Adviser and SEIAS approval to secure cabinet concurrence for this amendment by the end of 2026,” said Transport Minister Barbara Creecy.

“Between March and the end of August this year alone, over 18 000 people were arrested for drunken driving, accounting for a third of all traffic arrests during the period.”

The minister was speaking at the Road Safety Practitioners’ Colloquium last week, where she expressed concern over the high number of road fatalities across the country.

“We cannot normalise our current situation of recording close to 12 000 deaths on South Africa’s roads annually,” said the minister.

Part of the plans to deter recklessness on the roads is the recent rollout of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act.

Phase 2 of the AARTO was officially launched on 1 July this year and is operational in 62 municipalities, including uMhlathuze, Ulundi, Jozini and Mtubatuba.

“Phase three will see national implementation in the 151 outstanding municipalities in 2027, followed by phase four, the implementation of the demerit system.

“AARTO encourages voluntary compliance with traffic laws by offering a discount on infringement notices if they are paid early, alleviating the burden on courts.

“The new system will also provide greater deterrence to habitual reckless drivers through the possibility of a suspended license,” said Creecy.

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