Transport Minister Barbara Creecy says government is taking steps to introduce a zero-percent blood alcohol limit for drivers in South Africa.

The proposed change forms part of government’s efforts to reduce drunk driving and the number of people killed on the country’s roads.

Creecy says amendments are being prepared to Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act, which deals with driving under the influence of alcohol and other substances. The aim is to secure Cabinet approval for the proposed amendment by the end of the year.

“We are in the process of acquiring approval from the Chief State Law Advisor and SEIAS approval to secure Cabinet concurrence for this amendment by the end of 2026.”

The proposed change comes as police continue to deal with high levels of drunk driving. More than 18 000 people were arrested for drunk driving between March and August this year, accounting for about a third of all traffic arrests during that period.

The issue was highlighted again this week when Metro Police arrested a suspected drunk driver on the N2. The driver was reportedly found taking a nap in his vehicle at the on-ramp to Jakes Gerwel Drive.

Creecy says 6 457 people died on South African roads between January and 23 August, a nine-percent decrease compared with the same period in 2025.

She says the country cannot accept the continued loss of life on its roads.

“We cannot normalise the close to 12 000 deaths recorded on the country’s roads annually. 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. We have recorded significant milestones over the past two years. Over six percent less annual crashes and fatalities were recorded in 2025 compared to 2024.”

Government has set a target of halving annual road deaths by 2030, with Creecy calling for stronger enforcement and greater responsibility from road users.