More than 500 drivers caught drunk driving ahead of Easter

Ahead of the Easter holiday travel rush, authorities have arrested over 500 drivers for drunk driving as part of an intensified road safety campaign.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy said the effort, combined with increased patrols and vehicle inspections, has contributed to a significant drop in crashes and fatalities this year.

She made the announcement on Thursday during a road safety compliance inspection at the N1 Kranskop Toll Plaza, ahead of the Easter travel period.

The province is expected to host two of the country’s largest Christian gatherings over Easter, as the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) and the St Engenas Zion Christian Church (St Engenas ZCC) draw millions of worshippers to Moria, outside Polokwane. 

The event is among the largest religious gatherings in South Africa.

Creecy said early data shows a decline in crashes and fatalities between March 20 and March 30.

“Preliminary statistics indicate that fatal crashes have decreased from 306 recorded during the same period in 2025 to 255 this year, representing a 16.7% decline,” she said.

She said fatalities dropped from 356 to 291 - an 18.3% decrease.

Reductions were recorded in all provinces except the Free State and Eastern Cape. Gauteng, Limpopo and the Northern Cape reported the sharpest declines, ranging between 46% and 47%.

Creecy said the progress was encouraging as the country enters the peak Easter travel period, adding that intensified law enforcement contributed to the improvement.

She said authorities conducted 321 roadblocks, stopping and checking 374,161 vehicles.

A total of 1,122 vehicles were discontinued for defects rendering them unroadworthy, while 1,147 were impounded, mainly for permit violations.

Creecy announced that more than 500 motorists were arrested for drunk driving, 14 for speeding, and 93 pedestrians for jaywalking on freeways.

Officials also observed widespread offences, including excessive speeding, failure to wear seatbelts, driving without licences, operating unlicensed vehicles and using worn tyres.

Creecy said violations such as overtaking across barrier lines and using mobile phones while driving would not be tolerated, as they contribute to avoidable crashes.

Traffic volumes have already increased on major routes, particularly the N1, which is expected to see more than 2,500 vehicles passing through toll gates at peak periods.

She said law enforcement has been intensified, including the deployment of the National Traffic Police on a three-shift system: 6am to 2pm, 2pm to 10pm, and 10pm to 6am.

However, she said due to budget constraints, deployments will be concentrated in Limpopo and Gauteng, given their strategic importance during the holiday period.

Officers will patrol key routes around the clock, including:

-N3 from Pretoria to Villiers

-N1 south from Pretoria to Kroonstad

-N4 east from Pretoria to Middelburg

-N12 from Johannesburg to Potchefstroom

-N4 west from Pretoria to Rustenburg

Measures on high-risk routes include increased patrol density, continuous speed monitoring, alcohol testing, and coordinated operations at toll plazas, rest stops and known accident hotspots.

Creecy said authorities are also focusing on long-distance buses, minibuses and vehicles transporting church congregants.

She said the department has partnered with faith-based organisations, including the Bantu Church of Christ, the South African Council of Churches and the ZCC, to promote road safety awareness among congregants.

Officials are working continuously to remove unroadworthy vehicles and impound those operating without permits, she said.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, IOL News reported that Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety Violet Mathye said the province is fully prepared for the Easter travel period, with intensified law enforcement operations in place.

She urged motorists to obey traffic laws, avoid driving under the influence, ensure vehicles are roadworthy and wear seatbelts, adding that pedestrians should remain vigilant, use designated crossings and avoid walking on busy roads, particularly at night.

Mathye said heavy traffic is expected due to the annual pilgrimage, especially on routes including the R71, D4040, N1 and surrounding roads leading to Polokwane.

The province aims to maintain last year’s zero-fatality record on the N1 during Easter and extend it to other routes.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility,” Mathye said. “No journey is worth a life - arrive alive.”

IOL News