Drinking and driving is a serious issue on South African roads.
In a recent parliamentary Q&A, the Minister of Police revealed that over the past three financial years, a staggering 140,919 cases of driving under the influence and/or drunken driving offences were opened at police stations around the country.
As of 18 November 2024, 759 cases remain unresolved, while the remainder have been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority for prosecution.
The incidents were split up as follows:
| Year | Cases opened | Cases remaining open | Cases referred for prosecution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 40,927 | 311 | 43,839 |
| 2022/23 | 41,792 | 306 | 39,958 |
| 2023/24 | 58,200 | 142 | 58,330 |
| Total | 140,919 | 759 | 142,127 |
The minister notes that the total number of cases referred for prosecution can be higher than the total cases opened, as cases reported in previous years can be referred to court at a later stage.
Chancers beware
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) estimates that as much as 27% of road fatalities in South Africa are linked to alcohol consumption.
This means that approximately 3,200 of the 11,883 deaths on the country’s roads in 2023 were directly or indirectly caused by drivers being under the influence.
These cases spike over the festive season as more people take to the roads to enjoy a well-deserved break and visit friends and family, which oftentimes involves social gatherings and excessive drinking.
Data shows that road accidents during December and January increase by 25-30% compared to other months.
During the 2023/24 festive season, over 1,600 people died on South African roads, with alcohol being a significant factor in around one-third of these incidents.
To that end, the Department of Transport (DoT), RTMC, and other transport authorities are ramping up efforts to eradicate drinking and driving in South Africa over the coming holidays.
The 2024 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign will see 24/7 traffic policing on high-risk routes, ensuring that drivers stick to the speed limits and remain sober behind the wheel.
Additionally, law enforcement will be conducting more frequent roadblocks and roadside checks to clamp down on non-compliance.
Alongside these interventions, the DoT and its partner organisations have undertaken a campaign focusing on targeted messaging on radio and social media during December and early days of January.
The Department and RTMC have partnered with civil society groups and faith-based organisations to roll out education and awareness campaigns in their communities to ensure that all road users are aware of their roles and responsibilities in keeping themselves and their fellow citizens safe.
Engelsman Attorneys warns South Africans planning to drink and drive over the coming weeks that the legal consequences of doing so can be severe.
Drivers caught with Blood-Alcohol Content of higher than 0.05% – dropping to 0.02% for professional drivers – face fines of as high as R120,000, imprisonment of up to six years, and the suspension of their licence.
Convictions of this kind will also result in a permanent criminal record, which can affect future employment and travel opportunities.
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