BY LERATO PHOSISI
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department has pulled 230 impaired drivers off the city’s roads in just seven days, as part of an intensified campaign to curb drunk driving and prevent fatal crashes.
In operations running from Monday, 3 August to Sunday, 9 August 2026, JMPD teams conducted targeted roadblocks, freeway patrols, and alcohol testing at Alcohol Evidence Centres across all seven operational regions. Specialised tracing units were also deployed to support high-visibility enforcement.
The 230 arrests for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) underscore what authorities call a persistent threat to road safety in Africa’s economic hub.
“Driving under the influence of alcohol poses a serious threat to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike,” JMPD said in a statement. “We remain committed to maintaining road safety and reducing preventable accidents caused by impaired driving across the City of Johannesburg.”
The department emphasized a zero-tolerance approach. Officers will continue saturation patrols, random breath testing, and roadblocks in nightlife districts, major arterials, and freeway corridors throughout the week.
JMPD is urging residents to plan ahead if they intend to drink. Recommended options include appointing a sober driver, using e-hailing services, or arranging alternative transport. “Drinking and driving is a criminal offence,” the department warned. “No celebration is worth a life, or a criminal record.”
With the festive season approaching and winter conditions already making roads more hazardous, JMPD says enforcement will not let up. The message to motorists is clear if you drink, don’t drive in Johannesburg, you will be caught.
