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The Portfolio Committee on Transport notes with sadness the number of road fatalities recorded during the 2025/26 festive season and extends its condolences to the families, relatives and friends of those who lost their lives.
 
The Chairperson, Mr Donald Selamolela, said the number of deaths remained unacceptably high, particularly given the scope and intent of the 2025 Road Safety Plan and Strategy.
 
The Minister of Transport, Ms Barbara Creecy, announced on Thursday that although there was a 5% reduction, the total number of fatalities remained high at 1 427, and that the ministry was considering options that include proposing a total ban of alcohol in legislation.
 
“The committee supports the consideration of a total ban on alcohol use on the roads. It is clear now that decisive action is required. Otherwise, during the Easter period in three months, high fatality figures are likely to persist,” said Mr Selamolela.
 
“It has become clear that driving under the influence of alcohol has reached alarming levels, resulting in unnecessary loss of life. The committee and its predecessors may not have exercised sufficient rigour in their oversight role. The committee supports the consideration of a total ban of alcohol use by drivers.”
 
The Chairperson said the department should introduce the necessary legislative mechanisms with urgency. “Liability should be placed where necessary, and transgressing drivers should face stiff sanctions, including being banned from ever having a licence to drive. Drunk driving remains a serious and dangerous offence.”
 
Mr Selamolela said there is a need to consider enhancing the SAPS's ability to actively police driver behaviour on the roads within an appropriately revised legislative framework. “The roads have increasingly become sites of non-compliance with traffic laws because drivers know police will look away. That must come to an end,” the Chairperson said.
 
“Delays in acting on this matter risk further preventable loss of life on the country’s roads. These are deaths that could have easily been avoided. We need to reverse the perception that roads are death traps, and anyone can behave however they like.”
 
The Chairperson reaffirmed the committee’s support for interventions that will curb the number of road deaths attributable to drunk driving.

Issued by the Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, Donal Selamolela