South Africa's festive season sees over 1400 drunk driving arrests since December 1
Traffic authorities have arrested 1,478 motorists for drunk driving in a nationwide crackdown between December 1 and 13.
Image: File / WCG
Traffic authorities arrested 1,478 motorists for drunk driving in recent nationwide operations, as the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and AWARE.org launched a zero-tolerance campaign ahead of South Africa’s busiest travel period.
The arrests were among 2,719 made during the period between December 1- 13 which represents an 8.7% increase compared with the same period last year.
The highest number of arrests for drunk driving were recorded in the Northern Cape, North West and Eastern Cape. KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Limpopo, the Western Cape, Free State and Mpumalanga followed.
The figures come as authorities warn that the festive season remains the deadliest period on South Africa’s roads.
During the 2024/25 festive season, nearly 10,000 motorists were arrested for drunk driving, while 1,589 people died in 1,286 fatal crashes between 1 December 2024 and 11 January 2025.
The RTMC estimates that about 27% of all road deaths are directly linked to impaired driving.
AWARE.org, the Association for Alcohol Responsibility and Education, has intensified its #Shiy’imoto campaign in response. The campaign, supported by alcohol producers, distributors and retailers, urges motorists to “leave the car behind” when consuming alcohol, particularly ahead of the high-risk public holidays of 16 December, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
“This moment presents the opportunity to turn things around,” said AWARE.org chief executive Mokebe Thulo. “The people behind these quoted numbers are more than statistics; they are parents, children, friends, and community members whose lives matter.”
“With busy public holidays ahead, we are calling on all South Africans to make a simple choice: park your car, save a life. Use e-hailing services, appoint a sober driver, or stay the night. These decisions prevent harm,” Thulo said.
Authorities are increasingly relying on Evidentiary Breath Alcohol Testing (eBAT) machines, which provide immediate, court-admissible results at the roadside.
Thulo said the technology allows officers to “test, charge, and remove offenders on the spot,” reducing delays and keeping drunk drivers off the road.
Notable cases during the operations speeding with speeds of up to 193 km/h recorded in Gauteng and blood-alcohol readings as high as 2.38 mg/1000 ml in the Eastern Cape.
“Behind every statistic is a family whose life has been changed forever,” Thulo said. “The greatest reward this December is not the celebration. It is getting home safely.”