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Driving? Don’t even take a sip of that drink.
In government’s ongoing fight against high road fatalities, a proposed legislative change has been announced: Zero percent blood alcohol for drivers.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announced that the proposed amendment to Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act is being pursued. This follows the rollout of Phase 2 of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) in July.
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South Africa wants a zero-alcohol driving limit
“We are in the process of acquiring approval from the Chief State Law Advisor and Socio-Economic Impact Assessment System approval to secure cabinet concurrence for this amendment by the end of 2026,” the Minister says.
The proposal comes amid continued concerns about drunk driving. More than 18,000 people were arrested for drunken driving between March and the end of August 2026, accounting for around a third of all traffic arrests during that period.
For drivers, a zero-alcohol policy would mean no room to interpret the limit as ‘just one drink’. If the proposed changes are approved, motorists would need to treat driving and drinking as completely separate activities.
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Road deaths are falling – but remain too high
A total of 6 457 people died on South African roads between 1 January and 23 August 2026 – 9% reduction compared with the same period in 2025. Pedestrians accounted for 48% of fatalities, while more than a third of all deaths were in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
“This is why we have set ourselves the target of halving our number of annual road fatalities by 2030, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” says Creecy.
She did note a 6% reduction in annual crashes and fatalities in 2025 compared with 2024, as well as a 5% reduction during the 2025/26 festive season.
“It is the direct result of coordinated law enforcement, strategic partnerships with civil society, and a shift in the collective consciousness of our road users. However, we cannot rest on these laurels,” she continues.
AARTO is already changing how traffic fines work
The zero-alcohol proposal follows another significant change for South African motorists: AARTO Phase 2, which began rolling out from 1 July 2026.
Under the new phase, 62 municipalities have been brought into the AARTO administrative framework. Instead of traffic infringements following the traditional court-based process under the Criminal Procedure Act, qualifying fines are handled through an administrative system managed by the Road Traffic Infringement Agency.
For drivers, that means paying attention to traffic notices is more important than ever.
An infringement notice gives motorists 32 days to respond, with a 50% discount available for payment during that period. If no action is taken, a courtesy letter follows, adding a R60 administration fee. A further 32 days without action can result in an enforcement order and another R60 fee.
The consequences can go beyond the fine itself. An enforcement order can result in a driver being blocked on eNATIS, preventing the renewal of a licence disc or driver’s licence, or vehicle registration until the matter is resolved.
Safer roads for everyone
The zero-alcohol proposal and AARTO rollout form part of a broader government strategy that includes law enforcement, road safety education, pedestrian interventions, and public awareness campaigns.
This year, more than 14 000 road safety education and awareness interventions have been conducted, while coordinated campaigns have focused on issues including weather, traffic conditions, roadworthiness, and vehicle compliance.
It's all good news. Safer roads mean safer travel and more reason to explore South Africa!
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