Proposed Amendments to Section 65 of National Road Traffic Act for Zero Blood Alcohol Limit

Posted 02 September 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Transport & Road Safety Legislation

Brought to you by SAnews: The Department of Transport is pursuing legislative amendments to Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act, No. 93 of 1996 to introduce a strict zero-percent blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers.

Under the proposed regulatory reform, statutory allowances for blood and breath alcohol thresholds will be repealed, creating a complete statutory prohibition against operating a motor vehicle with any measurable alcohol concentration. The Department is currently acquiring formal certification from the Chief State Law Advisor and completing the Socio-Economic Impact Assessment System (SEIAS) process to secure Cabinet concurrence for the draft amendment bill by the end of 2026.

Enforcement Context and Compliance Indicators

The legislative move aligns with enforcement data and road safety targets monitored by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC):

  • More than 18,000 arrests for driving under the influence were recorded between March and August 2026, representing one-third of all traffic-related arrests during that six-month period.
  • A total of 6,457 road fatalities were recorded between 1 January and 23 August 2026, representing a 9% year-on-year reduction compared to 2025.
  • Pedestrian casualties accounted for 48% of total road fatalities, prompting increased high-density patrols and targeted enforcement near entertainment zones and major transit corridors.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Prepare for a total statutory prohibition where any detectable blood or breath alcohol level while driving will result in arrest and criminal prosecution under section 65.
  • For your business: Review internal human resources policies, disciplinary codes, and company vehicle usage policies to align with a mandatory zero-tolerance standard for all staff operating firm-owned or commercial vehicles.
  • For your clients: Advise transport, logistics, and fleet-operating clients to implement routine pre-trip breathalyser protocols and audit their commercial insurance policies for exclusions related to blood-alcohol statutory contraventions.

Originally published at https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/government-pursues-strict-zero-percent-blood-alcohol-policy

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