As South Africa heads into the festive season, the familiar rhythms of celebration begin to take hold—matric vacations, office year-end parties, and the general holiday spirit that encourages many to let loose. But beneath the cheer lies a persistent and devastating truth: this time of year is also marked by a sharp rise in driving under the influence (DUI), and the consequences remain catastrophic.
During the 2024/2025 Festive Season alone, 9 984 people were arrested for drinking and driving. Even more alarming, alcohol is involved in an average of 58% of all road fatalities in South Africa—one of the highest rates globally.
MasterDrive CEO Eugene Herbert says reversing this trend requires a united front.
“During the 2024/2025 Festive Season, 9 984 people were arrested for drinking and driving. The fatality rate from crashes involving alcohol is also concerning – an average of 58% of road fatalities involve alcohol.
“This is one of the highest averages globally. To place this in context, 28% of crashes in USA involve alcohol, 18% in Australia, 13% in the UK while only 9% of crashes in Germany involve alcohol,” Herbert explains.
These deaths, he emphasises, are preventable. And prevention begins long before a driver gets behind the wheel.
Below, MasterDrive outlines three high-risk festive scenarios and the proactive steps that can help save lives.
Matric Vacation: Start Prevention Years Before the Trip
Every summer, thousands of Matrics head to coastal hotspots to celebrate the end of school—a rite of passage that too often ends in tragedy.
Herbert says the groundwork to prevent DUI starts long before matric year.
“Prevention starts when teenagers are children by modelling responsible behaviour and ensuring your teen understands the dangers of drinking and driving.”
For parents whose teens will be driving to or at their holiday destination, clarity and preparation are crucial:
- Stress the importance of avoiding drink driving entirely.
- Ensure your teen knows their alternatives long before the big night out.
- Don’t shy away from specific, practical “what if” conversations:
- What if the designated driver drinks?
- Who will they call if they feel unsafe?
- What’s the plan if they are pressured by peers?
Herbert encourages families to agree on a non-negotiable safety net:
“Ensure your teen knows they can call you for a ride home—no matter the scenario—rather than get in a car with an impaired driver. Open, honest conversations about drink driving can equip them to make safe choices when it matters most.”
Group responsibility also goes a long way. Encourage them to create a group agreement before leaving, where friends actively hold one another accountable.
End-of-Year Corporate Functions: Organisations Must Lead by Example
Corporate year-end functions are synonymous with celebration—but they’re also a major contributor to festive-season DUI incidents.
Herbert advises that, ideally, organisations should avoid serving alcohol altogether. However, when this isn’t realistic, companies must put safety at the forefront.
“If alcohol is available, the responsibility is on the organisation to ensure that employees get home safely with the many options available today, whether ridesharing or shuttle services. Limit the duration of alcohol service. Watch for signs of intoxication and intervene when necessary. Leadership should model responsible consumption as well.”
Clear policy communication before the event is essential.
Culture matters, too—companies that openly prioritise employee wellbeing are far less likely to face alcohol-related incidents among staff.
“Create a culture where you look out for employees to prevent tragedy and make employee safety a top priority,” says Herbert.
Personal Choices: The Most Powerful Safety Tool We Have
While systemic and collective action matters, Herbert says the most decisive factor comes down to individual commitment.
“Commit to not drink and drive and should others do so, help them find safer alternatives. Ultimately, the choice is ours alone and one that cannot be compromised.”
This commitment also extends to passengers.
If someone who has been drinking offers you a lift, the answer must always be no—even if it means confronting a friend, delaying your plans, or finding a backup ride at the last minute.
“If drinking, don’t drive. This extends to refusing to be a passenger with an impaired driver, even if it means confronting a friend. Doing otherwise is making a choice that could alter or end lives,” Herbert says.
A Festive Season Worth Celebrating—Safely
As celebrations ramp up, South Africans are reminded that the most important gift they can give their families is arriving home safely. The statistics are sobering, but they are not immovable. Through honest conversations, responsible planning, corporate accountability, and personal integrity, we can all play a part in reducing DUI-related deaths.
The festive season should be a time of joy—not mourning. By committing to safety, we make sure it stays that way.
