Drive Sober, Stay Alive: Johannesburg steps up enforcement and research to curb drunk driving

Johannesburg A new six-month partnership between Aware.org and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) aims to reduce alcohol-related crashes by combining targeted enforcement, public education and on-the-ground research.

What the campaign will do

The Drive Sober, Stay Alive initiative runs from June to the end of December 2026. It brings together city departments, law enforcement and civil-society organisations to focus on strategic planning, intensified enforcement and real-time data collection to better understand and prevent drunk driving across the city.

Activities will target high-risk times such as public holidays, long weekends, winter festivities and the festive season, while also monitoring quieter periods to map drinking and driving patterns year-round.

Why authorities say action is needed

JMPD data cited by the campaign organisers shows a rising trend in driving-under-the-influence (DUI) arrests: 8,287 arrests in 2023 climbed to 9,898 in 2025. The highest concentration of arrests occurs between 18:00 and 23:59, and average alcohol levels among offenders have increased gradually.

Roadblocks now account for more than 72% of arrests, up from just over 50% in 2023. The majority of offenders fall in the 25–44 age group, and males make up between 94% and 96% of arrests.

Enforcement, technology and the justice process

JMPD plans to use evidentiary breath alcohol testing (EBAT) machines during the campaign to produce court-admissible results at the scene of arrest. Organisers say this will help strengthen the chain from arrest through prosecution.

The programme also includes tracking offenders through the justice system and working with courts and rehabilitation partners to improve case follow-through where appropriate.

Voices behind the campaign

“Our goal is to generate practical evidence that can help strengthen interventions, improve accountability, and inform South Africa’s broader response to drunk driving,”

“Through Drive Sober, Stay Alive, JMPD is strengthening data-driven enforcement and using evidence to guide operations that prioritise public safety and save lives.”

Public guidance and broader goals

The campaign encourages the public to plan ahead, use e-hailing services or taxis, appoint designated drivers and make responsible choices about alcohol consumption. It supports national and international road-safety targets to reduce fatalities and serious injuries by 50% by 2030.

Research and policy aims

Ongoing research and data analysis during the six months will create a feedback loop to identify trends, refine interventions and test whether a structured partnership can deliver lasting improvements. Insights from the project are intended to inform future policy and a potential national rollout.

Drive Sober, Stay Alive combines enforcement, technology and community engagement to address a persistent and preventable road-safety problem in Johannesburg.