SA’s ongoing drunk driving tragedy
Nearly a thousand motorists were arrested for driving under the influence in just days, highlighting a growing crisis on South Africa’s roads.
The Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) believes South Africa’s drunk driving crisis will only improve when individuals make a conscious and personal decision not to get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol.
According to Martlé Keyter, MISA’s CEO: Operations, despite warnings from Transport Minister Barbara Creecy that drunk drivers could face murder charges and despite increased visibility from law enforcement, motorists continue to drink and drive and innocent people continue to lose their lives.
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She revealed that in just three days over the Easter long weekend, nearly 1 000 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence. During the 2025 festive season, 4 106 motorists were arrested for the same offence.
“These numbers are not just statistics. They reflect choices made by motorists who knowingly put innocent lives at risk. Recent incidents highlight the devastating human cost. A groom-to-be from Newcastle was arrested for drunk driving and missed his own wedding, while his father was also detained for the same offence. In another tragic case, a 14-year-old boy lost his life after taking control of a vehicle from his intoxicated father, which ended in disaster,” said Keyter.
She said across South Africa, similar crashes involving drunk drivers continue to claim the lives of pedestrians, passengers and other motorists who had no part in these reckless decisions.
For MISA, one life lost is one too many. The union urges every driver to consider how they would face a family who has lost a loved one because of a deliberate decision to drink and drive.
“Irrespective of the sentence imposed if they are found guilty, they will carry a lifelong burden of guilt and bring immeasurable pain and shame to their own family. Due to the high prevalence of drunk driving, new shift rosters should be considered for law enforcement officers to ensure greater visibility during high-risk periods – particularly at night and over weekends. However, no level of policing can replace personal accountability. Drunk driving is not an accident; it is a choice. Until individuals take responsibility for that choice, no law or enforcement presence will be enough to prevent these tragedies,” conclude Keyter.
