As the festive season slowly dawns in South Africa, so too usher in the key changes to traffic laws in 2025. These changes aim to reduce the number of traffic deaths, intensify enforcement and develop a more cautious demeanor towards driving during adverse times. Whether you are heading home for the holidays or to your everyday routine, remaining aware of these will save you from unbearable penalties.
Zero Tolerance for Drinking While Driving!
From January 1st, 2025, the Zero Tolerance policy for Drink Driving will be embraced in South Africa. Previously permitted at 0.05 g/100 ml for private drivers or 0.02 g/100 ml for professional drivers, such blood alcohol concentrations are no longer valid. Under the new laws, any driver found with any degree of alcohol written on the breathalyzer or blood alcohol tests will be arrested, the driver’s license suspended immediately, alongside fines of up to R120,000 or gross imprisonment .
The Demerit Point System-To Increase and AARTO Enforcement
The demerit system introduced under the AARTO legislation is now fully operational and can track offences throughout the whole country. Points are added to a driver’s record for offences such as drunk driving, speeding, using a mobile phone, and dangerous driving. Upon the accumulation of 15 or more points, a driver’s licence shall be suspended for three months, and after three such suspensions, the driver’s licence shall be revoked permanently .
Harsher Penalties on Speeding and Mobile Use
The South African have implemented laws punishing the offence of speeding and use of cell phones behind the wheel more severely than ever before. To go 10 to 20 km/h over speed limit is to be fined between R750 and R1,000, 20 to 40 km/h attracts fines of R2,000 and R2,500 while over 40 km/h means court appearance, heavy fines and possible suspension . Holding or operating a mobile phone behind the wheel, even at a red light, or sending a text message will garner R5,000 in fines and demerit points.
Child Restraints and Seatbelt Enforcement Increased
More rigorously enforced has been the driver’s responsibility when fastening young passengers. It is mandatory for toddlers below the age of 3 to be tied in using a car seat that is approved, with consequences for anyone committing an offence of a fine up to R3,000 . Also, all passengers must wear seatbelts, be they in the front or back seats; failure to comply means they are guilty of the same offence.
More Festive-Ambience Safety Patrols and Roadblocks
Law-enforcement agencies will carry out intensified actions during the 123december January festive period. In 2024 alone there were almost 1,000 roadblocks that saw over 700,000 fines having been issued with roughly 10,000 arrests, mostly for drunk driving and speeding . There is also ongoing inspection of vehicle roadworthiness by officers with special consideration of taxis, buses, and overloaded heavy vehicles.
Technology-Based Enforcement Increasing
South Africa is deploying a raft of new technologies all over the country that include speed cameras; average speed monitoring on highways, mobile enforcement units, and dashcam installations in public transport, as well as AI-assisted detection systems Their purpose is to deter dangerous behavior and ensure smoother investigations into accident