Ekurhuleni: Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy has announced that the government is working on legislative amendments to implement a strict zero percent blood alcohol policy as part of its ongoing efforts to improve road safety. The changes will be made to Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act.
According to South African Government News Agency, Creecy stated that more than 18,000 individuals were arrested for drunken driving between March and the end of August this year, making up a third of all traffic arrests during this time. The Minister emphasized the need to address the nearly 12,000 annual road deaths in South Africa, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to halve road fatalities by 2030.
The Minister highlighted the progress made over the past two years, with a reduction of over six percent in annual crashes and fatalities in 2025 compared to 2024. Data from the 2025/26 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign showed a five percent reduction in both road fatalities and crashes, with five provinces reporting fewer fatalities than the previous year. The 2026 Easter long weekend saw the second-lowest number of crashes and fatalities in four years, with a 24% decrease in crashes and a 39% reduction in fatalities compared to the peak in 2024.
A snapshot of road incidents from the first eight months of 2026 reported 6,457 road deaths, marking a nine percent reduction in fatalities compared to 2025. Pedestrians accounted for 48 percent of these fatalities, with over a third occurring in the Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. The Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and North West provinces met or exceeded the 10% target for reducing fatalities.
Creecy attributed these improvements to coordinated law enforcement, partnerships with civil society, and a shift in road users' attitudes. She stressed the importance of preventing pedestrian accidents by focusing on highway safety and intensifying patrols near entertainment areas close to highways.
The Minister also emphasized the role of visibility and public education in these efforts. Collaborations with the South African Police Service and community involvement have been crucial in maintaining this momentum. Creecy noted that a whole-of-society approach has been vital in spreading road safety awareness through public communication campaigns, engaging civil society, traditional leaders, and faith-based organizations.
The efforts of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and provincial partnerships have resulted in over 14,000 road safety education and awareness initiatives this year. Furthermore, a coordinated media campaign with over 50 media outlets has focused on weather advisories, traffic updates, and vehicle compliance inspections to enhance road safety. - SAnews.gov.za