South Africa is moving closer to a zero-alcohol limit for motorists, with government pursuing amendments to Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act. The proposed changes would effectively
mean that drivers cannot legally consume any alcohol before getting behind the wheel. The Transport Department says the move is necessary to tackle drunk driving, which remains a major contributor
to road deaths. Between March and the end of August this year, more than 18,000 people were arrested for drunk driving, accounting for around a third of all traffic arrests during that period.
But while there is broad support for tougher action against drunk driving, the big question is whether South Africa has the capacity to enforce a zero-tolerance law consistently. Government itself
has acknowledged that effective road safety depends heavily on having enough traffic officers, resources and visible policing, particularly at night when many crashes occur. So, is changing the
law enough — or could a zero-alcohol limit become another regulation that looks good on paper but proves difficult to enforce on the ground?