SAFETY
Moving beyond festive crackdowns Every year, South Africa braces itself for the same headlines: festive season roadblocks, alcohol blitzes, and police clamps on drunk driving. While these seasonal operations can make a dent in December’s accident statistics, their impact is rarely sustained. The deterrent effect wears off quickly, and once the roadblocks disappear, risky behaviour tends to resurface just as fast. By Rhys Evans, Managing Director at ALCO-Safe
E very year, South Africa braces itself for the same headlines: festive season roadblocks, alcohol blitzes, and police clamps on drunk driving. While these seasonal operations can make a dent in De- cember’s accident statistics, their impact is rarely sustained. The deterrent effect wears off quickly, and once the roadblocks disappear, risky behaviour tends to resurface just as fast. The underlying issue is simple: alcohol con- sumption in South Africa doesn’t pause for eleven months of the year. So long as enforcement remains seasonal, be- haviour change will remain seasonal too. If the goal is safer roads and more responsible motorists, alcohol testing needs to become an everyday practice, not a festive-season event. Why seasonal crackdowns don’t create lasting change Festive season crackdowns are reactive by nature. They respond to an anticipated spike in drinking rather than forming part of a sustained road safety strategy. Motorists
know this pattern well, and they expect roadblocks in December but very few in April, August or October. When the likelihood of being stopped fluctuates so dramatically, the deterrent effect quickly diminishes. A proactive, community-driven model for year-round road safety One of the most effective ways to build continuous enforcement capacity is through collaboration between local authorities and the private sector. Many organisations already understand the value of alcohol testing within their own operations. Extending this awareness into surrounding communities can dramatically strengthen local road safety efforts. A workable model being explored in several regions involves establishing a dedicated Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) to support ongoing alcohol testing. The idea is simple but powerful – local companies contribute to a central NPO
CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS DEC '25 - JAN 2026 24
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker