JOHANNESBURG - Drunk driving arrests over the Easter weekend have once again raised serious concerns about road safety in South Africa.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation says nearly a thousand motorists were arrested during the holiday period, a staggering 39 percent increase compared to last year.
Authorities also impounded more than a thousand vehicles during intensified operations.
Experts say the spike in arrests may partly be due to increased law enforcement, with a three-shift system boosting visibility on the roads.
But they warn that the numbers also point to a much deeper problem.
Dr Lee-Ann Randall from the Road Ethics Project says alcohol remains a major contributor to road deaths in South Africa.
According to the World Health Organization, around 58 percent of road fatalities in the country are linked to alcohol, one of the highest rates globally.
Randall explains that even small amounts of alcohol can impair a driver’s ability, increasing both the likelihood and severity of crashes.
She also raised concerns about corruption within the roadworthy system, with some vehicles being declared fit for the road despite serious safety issues.
In some cases, vehicle owners allegedly manipulate the system using temporary parts like tyres to pass inspections, only to remove them afterwards.
Randall says financial pressures and limited transport options also play a role, with many people forced to use unsafe vehicles due to a lack of alternatives.
She adds that road safety is a shared responsibility involving drivers, authorities and the public, but warns that low compliance with laws, such as seatbelt use, continues to put lives at risk.
Beyond driver behaviour, infrastructure challenges also contribute to the problem.
A lack of pedestrian-friendly features like pavements, crossings and bridges leaves many people vulnerable on the roads.
Randall says until South Africans demand safer systems and take greater responsibility, the country’s road safety crisis is unlikely to improve.