Drunk drivers may soon lose licences for life

VS

Vicky Stark

27 January 2026 | 11:42

Rethink Your Drink campaign manager Kashifa Ancer says the proposed changes are aimed at making people change their behaviour.

Drunk drivers may soon lose licences for life

FILE: Traffic officers conduct checks at a roadblock. Picture: @Dotransport/Twitter

The Rethink Your Drink campaign has welcomed the government's move to ban drinking and driving altogether. Drivers found guilty of this offence will have their licences taken away for life.
Ancer believes the state is now trying to ensure the law encompasses every safety measure.
"I think the proposals coming out for drink driving are wanting to be as protective and prescriptive as they can be so that there is no leeway like we're seeing now, where the law just isn't enough."
She believes having your licence taken away for life will be a good deterrent.
"If you feel like you can get away with it, you may just try. But these kinds of significant consequences may cause a significant shift. In practice, you won't just be able to get into your car and drive somewhere anymore, even when you are sober."
The push from the government comes after yet another high festive season fatality rate, with 1,427 deaths recorded.
Rethink Your Drink is also calling for raising the legal drinking age from 18 to 21.
"The brain is still developing up until the age of 25, so delaying the onset of drinking helps our brains develop much stronger."
Coupled with enforcement and a package of other laws like restricting advertising, it can be a significant factor in reducing drinking amongst young people and underage children, says Ancer.
To listen to Ancer's full discussion with CapeTalk's Clarence Ford, use the audio player below:
Get the whole picture 💡

Take a look at the topic timeline for all related articles.

Trending News