By Priya Ranchod
As thousands of South African workers receive their October salaries, motorists are being urged to stay off the roads if they have been drinking, with law enforcement expected to intensify its efforts to clamp down on drunk driving over the payday weekend.
The Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) issued the warning on Friday, 23 October 2026, highlighting the dangers associated with alcohol consumption and road use during a period when many people celebrate receiving their wages.
With 25 October falling on a Sunday, many workers are expected to receive their salaries ahead of the weekend, raising concerns about increased alcohol consumption and the risk of fatal crashes.
Simon Zwane, spokesperson for the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), recently told MISAtv that drunk driving tends to increase over weekends and long weekends, with the problem also becoming evident on Mondays and Tuesdays.
“More than 27% of fatal crashes are due to alcohol, so it is an issue that requires constant attention,” Zwane said.
The figures paint a concerning picture of road safety in South Africa, where close to 12,000 people lose their lives on the roads each year, with pedestrians accounting for more than half of the fatalities.
Between March and August this year, more than 18,000 people were arrested for drunk driving. Alcohol-related offences also accounted for about a third of all traffic arrests during the period, according to figures cited by MISA.
The association also pointed to South Africa’s high levels of alcohol consumption as a contributing concern. According to the World Health Organization figures referenced by MISA, South Africans who drink consume an average of 29.9 litres of pure alcohol annually, placing the country among the highest-consuming nations globally. Almost six in 10 drinkers reportedly engage in binge drinking.
Zwane said the RTMC identifies areas where alcohol consumption is particularly high to help direct roadblocks and patrols to the places where they are most needed.
He also raised concerns about drunk drivers transporting passengers, putting not only their own lives at risk but those of other road users.
Martlé Keyter, MISA’s chief executive officer: operations, said payday should be a time of relief for working families rather than a period marked by preventable deaths.
“Payday should bring relief to working families, not tragedy,” Keyter said.
“Every weekend, families lose breadwinners, children and pedestrians to someone who decided one more drink would not hurt. The police will be on the roads this weekend, and they should be. If you are caught, you could lose your licence, your freedom and your job. If you are not caught, you could lose far more. Do not drink and drive.”
MISA has thrown its support behind Transport Minister Barbara Creecy’s proposal to introduce a zero blood alcohol limit for drivers, arguing that stricter measures are needed to address the country’s persistent drunk-driving problem.
Zwane said South Africa had been too lenient towards people who drive under the influence of alcohol, adding that a zero limit would remove the misconception that having one drink before driving was acceptable.
MISA is urging motorists to make safe transport arrangements before consuming alcohol, whether by arranging a lift, choosing a designated driver or using an e-hailing service.
Drivers are also being warned never to get into a vehicle with someone who has been drinking. Motorists should remain alert for pedestrians and exercise caution on freeways, where criminals have reportedly used spikes to damage vehicles and force drivers to stop.
If a tyre is damaged on a freeway, motorists are advised not to stop immediately in an unsafe location. Instead, they should reduce their speed and proceed cautiously to a safe, well-lit area before pulling over, provided the vehicle remains controllable and it is safe to continue.
MISA’s warning comes as authorities prepare for a busy payday weekend, with the association reminding motorists that the consequences of drunk driving extend well beyond the possibility of arrest.
Workers are being urged to enjoy their payday responsibly and ensure they, their families and other road users reach their destinations safely.