Mar 24, 2026 Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy, drunk drivers, Martlé Keyter, MISA,
MISA comment - Drunk drivers will get no mercy from Transport Minister Barbara Creecy
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy believes that drunk drivers whose actions kill other road users should be charged with premeditated murder, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of life imprisonment under the Criminal Law Amendment Act. “It is a known fact that even a small amount of alcohol diminishes your ability to act. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi tells me that in the trauma units of hospitals, 85% of victims and offenders are over the legal blood alcohol limit. I believe if someone drinks, gets behind the wheel of a car and causes an accident in which people die, they should be charged with premeditated murder,” Creecy said.
She addressed the annual National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) Organised Labour School at Kieviets Kroon, north of Pretoria, where MISA, the Motor Industry Staff Association, represented its affiliated federation FEDUSA.
Martlé Keyter, MISA’s Chief Executive Officer: Operations, says the Union supports Creecy’s view as it is well known that drunk driving and speeding are the biggest contributors to fatal accidents on South Africa’s roads. “One life lost is one too many. Despite all the increased law enforcement efforts on our roads under the leadership of Creecy, there are still too many drunk drivers. The prospect of life imprisonment just might serve as a proper deterrent,” says Keyter.
According to Creecy, awareness campaigns, increased roadblocks and the visibility of law enforcement officers on South African roads have paid off, reducing road fatalities by 10% since January. “However, the majority of fatal accidents still occur at night over weekends when most law enforcement officers are not on the roads. We need to consider a flexi-shift system to have them on the roads when we need them most,” she said.
Her Department is in full preparation for Easter Weekend, which is annually known for high traffic volumes due to several faith-based gatherings. Creecy says increased education of road users is key. She vows to crack down on the more than 300,000 un-roadworthy vehicles on our roads, according to the electronic National Administration Traffic Information System (NaTIS). “We are trying to find them in the roadblocks.”
Creecy will also deploy students to educate communities at hotspots where pedestrians are killed while crossing roads and ignoring pedestrian bridges. According to the Minister, the Department has established that pedestrians are often afraid to use these bridges because they get mugged on them. This is something law enforcement authorities must address.
Keyter welcomed all Creecy’s interventions. MISA has appealed to motorists in the past to refrain from travelling at night if it can be avoided. The Union has also repeatedly appealed to law enforcement authorities to take action against jaywalking.
#PROUDLYMISA #MISALEADS #MISACARES #MISAONTHEMOVE #MISAFAMILY
Apr 10, 2026 0
Apr 09, 2026 0
Apr 08, 2026 0
Apr 07, 2026 0