Minister Creecy: ZA Zero Percent Blood Alcohol Amendment Advances

• The South African government is pursuing a legislative amendment to Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act for a strict zero percent blood alcohol policy.
• Minister Barbara Creecy announced the goal to secure cabinet concurrence for this ZA zero percent blood alcohol amendment by the end of 2026, following Chief State Law Advisor and SEIAS approval.
• This initiative aims to halve South Africa's annual road fatalities of nearly 12,000 by 2030, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Over 18,000 individuals were arrested for drunken driving between March and August this year, representing one-third of all traffic arrests.
• Recent road safety efforts have shown progress, including a five percent reduction in fatalities and crashes during the 2025/26 Festive Season and a 39% drop in Easter 2026 fatalities compared to 2024.

For legal and compliance professionals, monitoring the legislative journey of this amendment, from SEIAS approval to cabinet concurrence, is paramount.

Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy has announced the South African government's intention to introduce a significant legislative amendment to Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act. This proposed change aims to establish a strict zero percent blood alcohol policy, a key measure in the broader strategy to enhance road safety across the nation. The announcement was made on a Wednesday during the Road Safety Practitioners' Colloquium held in Ekurhuleni.

The process for implementing this crucial ZA zero percent blood alcohol amendment is actively underway. The Department of Transport is currently seeking necessary approvals from the Chief State Law Advisor and is working towards securing Socio-Economic Impact Assessment System (SEIAS) approval. The overarching objective is to obtain cabinet concurrence for this amendment by the close of 2026, marking a pivotal moment for South Africa's drunk driving law and its enforcement.

The impetus behind this ZA blood alcohol limit change stems from the alarming statistics surrounding road fatalities in South Africa. Minister Creecy highlighted that the country records approximately 12,000 deaths on its roads annually, a figure the government considers unacceptable. To aggressively combat this, a national target has been established to halve the number of annual road fatalities by 2030, a goal that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Enforcement efforts against impaired driving underscore the pervasive nature of the problem. Between March and the end of August this year alone, more than 18,000 individuals were arrested for drunken driving. This substantial figure represented one-third of all traffic arrests made during that six-month period, illustrating the widespread challenge that the proposed zero percent blood alcohol policy seeks to mitigate.

Despite the persistent challenges, South Africa has demonstrated encouraging progress in its road safety campaigns over the past two years. Data indicates a reduction of over six percent in annual crashes and fatalities in 2025 compared to the previous year, 2024. Further positive trends were observed during the 2025/26 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign, which reported a five percent decrease in both road fatalities and crashes, with five provinces specifically noting a reduction in fatalities year-on-year.

The 2026 Easter long weekend also marked a significant achievement, with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) recording the second-lowest number of crashes and fatalities over the last four Easter periods. When benchmarked against the peak figures from 2024, crashes saw a substantial decline of 24%, and fatalities dropped by 39%. This progress is attributed to coordinated law enforcement, strategic partnerships with civil society, and a discernible shift in the collective consciousness of road users. A snapshot of road crashes for the first eight months of 2026 was also mentioned, though specific figures were not provided in the report.

Beyond the ZA zero percent blood alcohol amendment, current efforts include a targeted focus on reducing pedestrian deaths, particularly by preventing individuals from crossing or walking on highways. Traffic policing authorities have intensified patrols around entertainment venues near major roads, aiming to deter intoxicated pedestrians and encourage the use of designated crossings. The success of these measures relies heavily on increased visibility and public education, supported by community involvement and the South African Police Service (SAPS). A "whole-of-society" approach, involving civil society, traditional leaders, and faith-based organizations, has been crucial in disseminating road safety messages, leading to over 14,000 road safety education initiatives through collaboration between the RTMC and various provinces.

The proposed ZA zero percent blood alcohol amendment to Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act represents a fundamental shift in South Africa's approach to drunk driving. This policy change, if enacted, will have profound implications for all drivers and, by extension, for businesses involved in transport and logistics. It underscores the government's unwavering commitment to drastically reducing the close to 12,000 annual road deaths and achieving the ambitious 2030 fatality reduction target.

For legal and compliance professionals, monitoring the legislative journey of this amendment, from SEIAS approval to cabinet concurrence, is paramount. A zero percent blood alcohol policy will necessitate significant adjustments to existing compliance frameworks and driver education programs, fundamentally altering the landscape of South Africa's drunk driving law and client obligations. This proactive engagement will be crucial for ensuring adherence to the new regulations once they come into effect.

Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor the legislative process for amendments to Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act, as a zero percent blood alcohol policy will drastically alter drunk driving laws and client compliance requirements in South Africa, particularly for those in transport or logistics.

Source: Reporting from a government statement.