By Sitha Maliwa:
A new six-month road safety initiative is set to intensify the fight against drunk driving in Johannesburg, as AWARE.org and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) join forces to tackle one of South Africa’s most persistent causes of road crashes and fatalities.
The Drive Sober, Stay Alive campaign, which runs from June to December 2026, combines law enforcement, public education and research to reduce alcohol-related road incidents while strengthening evidence-based road safety interventions.
The initiative will focus on high-risk periods such as public holidays, long weekends, winter celebrations and the festive season, while also collecting data during quieter periods to better understand patterns of alcohol consumption and driving behaviour throughout the year.
According to AWARE.org Chief Executive Officer Mokebe Thulo, the campaign represents a collaborative approach to addressing a problem that continues to claim lives on South Africa’s roads.
“Through the Drive Sober, Stay Alive initiative, AWARE.org is demonstrating its commitment to a more coordinated and evidence-led response to drinking and driving. Our goal is to generate practical evidence that can help strengthen interventions, improve accountability and inform South Africa’s broader response to drunk driving,” said Thulo.
The programme builds on recommendations made during AWARE.org’s 2025 Don’t Drink and Drive Seminar, where government officials, law enforcement agencies, road safety experts and civil society organisations explored practical solutions to reduce alcohol-related harm.
Arrests continue to rise
Recent JMPD statistics highlight the scale of the challenge.
Drunk driving arrests increased from 8,287 in 2023 to 9,898 in 2025, with the majority of offences occurring between 6 pm and midnight. Authorities have also noted a gradual increase in the average alcohol levels recorded among offenders.
Roadblocks have become one of the most effective enforcement tools, accounting for more than 72% of all DUI arrests in both 2024 and 2025, compared to just over half of arrests in 2023.
The data further reveals that motorists aged between 25 and 44 years are responsible for most drunk driving offences, while men account for between 94% and 96% of all arrests.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said the campaign would strengthen intelligence-led policing to improve road safety.
“Drunk driving remains a serious and entirely preventable threat on our roads. Through Drive Sober, Stay Alive, JMPD is strengthening data-driven enforcement and using evidence to guide operations that prioritise public safety and save lives.”
Technology to strengthen prosecutions
A key component of the campaign is the use of Evidentiary Breath Alcohol Testing (EBAT) machines, which provide court-admissible breath alcohol readings immediately after arrest.
Authorities believe the technology will strengthen prosecutions by improving the collection of reliable evidence and closing gaps that have historically weakened drunk driving cases.
The initiative also seeks to monitor what happens after an arrest, tracking cases through the justice system to determine whether offenders are prosecuted successfully or referred to rehabilitation and alternative intervention programmes where appropriate.
Researchers will analyse data collected throughout the campaign to identify behavioural trends, measure public awareness and evaluate the effectiveness of enforcement operations. The findings are expected to help shape future road safety policies and determine whether similar initiatives can be implemented in other parts of South Africa.
Public urged to make responsible choices
While enforcement remains a key focus, organisers stress that lasting change depends on responsible behaviour by motorists.
Members of the public are encouraged to plan ahead before consuming alcohol by using e-hailing services, appointing designated drivers or making alternative transport arrangements.
The Drive Sober, Stay Alive initiative supports South Africa’s commitment to reducing road fatalities and serious injuries by 50% by 2030, in line with the National Road Safety Strategy and the United Nations Global Road Safety Strategy. As authorities prepare for increased enforcement over the coming months, the message is clear: choosing not to drink and drive could save lives. – @NewsSA_Online
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