WHY THIS PETITION MATTERS
Every year, thousands of South African families are devastated by preventable road fatalities caused by intoxicated, reckless and speeding drivers. Behind every statistic is a human being. A son, daughter, mother, father, sibling or friend whose life cannot be replaced.
In 2025, my own family became part of this statistic when I lost my 21-year-old daughter in a collision involving a drunk driver.
As a mum, there are moments in life that change you forever. Receiving the call and arriving at the scene to find my only daughter and best friend lying lifeless on the road was one of these moments.
No parent should ever have to experience such a loss.
My family's loss is not unique. It reflects a broader national crisis in which families are left to deal not only with the death of a loved one, but also with concerns regarding accountability, enforcement and the effectiveness of the justice system.
Section 11 of the Constitution guarantees everyone the right to life. Yet South African law currently permits drivers to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of up to 0.05 grams per 100 millilitres of blood.
Research consistently shows that alcohol impairs judgment, reaction times, concentration and decision making. Driving requires full attention and sound judgment. Lives depend on it.
South Africa must ask whether any level of alcohol consumption should be considered acceptable for individuals who choose to drive on public roads.
This petition calls for the introduction of a zero-alcohol limit for drivers and for a broader review of how fatal road collisions involving intoxication, excessive speed and reckless driving are addressed within the criminal justice system.
It further calls for greater accountability where failures in policing, evidence preservation or investigation undermine public confidence in the pursuit of justice.
Cases involving fatal collisions should be assessed on their own facts. Where evidence demonstrates conduct that goes beyond negligence and supports a more serious finding of criminal responsibility, prosecutorial decisions should fully reflect the gravity of this conduct.
This petition is not about revenge.
It is not about punishment.
It is about prevention.
It is about protecting lives.
It is about reducing preventable road deaths.
It is about strengthening accountability.
It is about ensuring that fewer families experience both the loss of a loved one and the burden of seeking justice.
If you are driving, you should not be drinking. It is this simple.
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WHAT THIS PETITION CALLS FOR
1.    The introduction of a zero-alcohol limit for drivers in South Africa.
2.    A review of how fatal collisions involving intoxication, excessive speed and reckless driving are investigated and prosecuted.
3.    Greater accountability where policing failures, misconduct or corruption undermine investigations and public confidence in the criminal justice system.
4.    A renewed commitment to placing the constitutional right to life at the centre of road safety policy, law enforcement and criminal justice decision making.

MEDIA COVERAGE
The issues raised in this petition have previously been featured in The Post newspaper and published online. The article highlights the broader concerns regarding road safety, accountability and the protection of life that underpin this petition.

Read the article here:

A Chatsworth Mother's Quest for Justice in a 'Drunk Driving' Case

https://thepost.co.za/opinion/2025-10-29-a-chatsworth-mother-s-quest-for-justice-in--drunk-driving-case/