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South Africa Moves Toward Zero-Alcohol Driving Limit

Proposed amendments to the National Road Traffic Act would lower the blood-alcohol limit for motorists to zero.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Substance Abuse

Bold flat-color vector editorial illustration of a half-full clear glass resting on a black steering wheel above an open dry landscape and empty road, evoking the drink-driving limit.
South Africa's Transport Minister has proposed lowering the legal blood-alcohol limit for motorists from 0.05 to zero, a move aimed at curbing road deaths that claim nearly 12,000 lives a year. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should South Africa adopt a zero-percent blood alcohol limit for drivers?

South Africa's Minister of Transport has announced amendments to Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act that would reduce the blood-alcohol limit for motorists from 0.05 to 0.00 grams per 100 millilitres. The government is seeking approval from the Chief State Law Advisor and the Socio-Economic Impact Assessment System.

Why it matters

Nearly 12,000 people die on South African roads each year, and drunk driving accounted for one-third of traffic arrests between March and August 2026. Van Deventer Dowlath & Marx has raised concern that the amendments do not address intoxicated pedestrians, who are already prohibited from being on the road under the Act but are inconsistently enforced.

The breath alcohol limit would fall from 0.24 to zero grams per 1,000 millilitres, according to government figures, while South Africa records nearly 12,000 road deaths annually. Whether the stricter limit will be approved by cabinet is still unclear.

The players

Van Deventer Dowlath & Marx

A South African law firm that has raised concerns that the proposed amendments ignore intoxicated pedestrians.

The details

The proposed change would reduce the breath alcohol concentration limit from 0.24 to zero grams per 1,000 millilitres. Several over-the-counter medications and common consumable products in South Africa contain trace amounts of alcohol, a factor the amendment's implementation will need to consider.

Timeline

  1. March to end of August 2026: 18,000 people arrested for drunk driving.

  2. Earlier in 2026: Minister announced pursuit of a zero-percent alcohol policy.

  3. September 2026: Minister announced the approval process with SEIAS.

  4. End of 2026: Cabinet agreement for the proposed amendment is targeted.

  5. 2030: Government aims to halve road deaths.

Health Landscape

The proposal tightens the existing 0.05 limit in Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act, extending a legal framework already aimed at reducing alcohol-related road harm. It sits within the government's stated goal of halving road deaths by 2030.

If adopted, the zero-alcohol limit would mean motorists could face penalties for any measurable alcohol before driving, including trace amounts found in some medications and consumer products. Drivers taking such medicines may need to check labels and plan travel accordingly.

The takeaway

Even small amounts of alcohol can affect driving, so checking medication and product labels before getting behind the wheel is a practical step. Staying alert to how the proposed rules might change your obligations as a driver is worthwhile.

What happens next

Cabinet agreement on the proposed amendment is targeted by the end of 2026, pending approval from the Chief State Law Advisor and the SEIAS.

Further reading

Explore more on Substance Abuse and how alcohol policy affects road safety.

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Should South Africa adopt a zero-percent blood alcohol limit for drivers?