As the Easter weekend approaches, thousands of South Africans will take to the roads. For many, it is a time of family and celebration. For law enforcement, it is a time of heightened vigilance – and for motorists, a moment to understand that the legal landscape around drinking and driving is about to change dramatically.
What the law says now
Currently, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above 0.05 g per 100 ml, or a breath alcohol concentration above 0.24 mg per 1,000 ml. For professional drivers, the limit is 0.02 g/100 ml. A conviction can result in a fine of up to R120 000, imprisonment for up to six years, and a criminal record that endures for a decade – a stain that often makes future employment impossible.
Zero‑tolerance is coming
In January 2026, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy made the government’s intention clear: the era of any permissible alcohol limit is ending. Citing a 144% increase in drunk‑driving arrests over the previous festive season, she described the current law as “totally unacceptable” in a country where thousands of families lose loved ones to preventable crashes.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Transport has endorsed a complete ban on drinking and driving. Its chairperson, Donald Selamolela, warned that without decisive action, the Easter period would likely see more fatalities. The committee has even proposed that repeat offenders be permanently stripped of their driving licences.
The real‑world consequences
For anyone caught driving under the influence, the immediate consequences are severe: arrest, a night in a holding cell, and the start of a criminal prosecution. Beyond that:
A criminal record that lasts ten years, affecting employment, travel, and professional standing.
Mandatory licence suspension for repeat offenders (five years for a second offence, ten years for a third).
If an accident results in death, charges of culpable homicide or murder can follow.
A simple choice
The legal message is unambiguous: drink and drive, and you risk your freedom, your livelihood, and your future. The rules of the road are about to become even stricter.
This Easter, make the responsible choice. Use a designated driver, an e‑hailing service, or public transport. Alcohol can remain in your system for up to eight hours – there is no safe shortcut.
The law is moving toward zero tolerance. Arrive alive.