There have been mixed reactions to government plans to scrap the legal alcohol limit for drivers, with many instead calling for heightened law enforcement and a focus on behavioural change among motorists.

Releasing the 2025/26 Festive Season Road Safety report last week, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy said they will begin the process of amending the drunk driving limit to zero.

Currently, it is a criminal offence to exceed the limit of 0.05g/100ml concentration of alcohol in blood or 0.24mg/1000ml breath for general drivers. A limit of 0.02g/100ml blood or 0.10mg/1000ml breath is in place for professional drivers.

The minister said there needs to be a ‘clear-cut, easy to understand and unambiguous policy that says drinking and driving is not allowed’.

“Speeding and drunk-driving remain the major cause of road accidents,” said Creecy.

“Our driving and drinking policy was formulated almost 30 years ago.

“In today’s South Africa, it is totally unacceptable that there is a law that allows people to drink and drive. I have never understood this.

“I cannot explain this to anyone who has lost a parent, a brother, a sister, a child as a result of a road accident,” she said.

The Portfolio Committee on Transport has welcomed the move, calling for the process to be undertaken with urgency.

“It has become clear that driving under the influence of alcohol has reached alarming levels, resulting in unnecessary loss of life.

“The committee and its predecessors may not have exercised sufficient rigour in their oversight role.

“The committee supports the consideration of a total ban of alcohol use by drivers,” said chairperson Donald Selamolela.

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