AWARE.org And JMPD Mark Four Years Of Work To Address Drinking And Driving
Updated: 5 hours ago
Stopping a motorist suspected of driving under the influence is only one part of addressing drinking and driving. The process also relies on accurate testing, proper evidence collection, effective case management and coordination between the institutions responsible for taking suspected offences through the criminal justice system.
That was the focus when AWARE.org and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) marked four years of partnership on 13 October at the Alcohol Evidence Centre (AEC) in Dube, Soweto. The collaboration combines enforcement support, public education and research, with the aim of strengthening the response to alcohol-related harm on South Africa’s roads.
The event included demonstrations of roadside screening and evidential breath alcohol testing (EBAT), as well as a tour of the centre. Motorists suspected of driving under the influence may be referred to the AEC following roadside screening, where evidential testing, documentation and evidence collection support the subsequent management of cases.
The centre includes a dedicated EBAT testing room, a holding room and administrative facilities. These functions form part of the process required to move from an initial suspicion of impaired driving to the collection and handling of evidence.
What The DUI Arrest Data Shows
The partnership's work also draws on recorded enforcement data. A recent review by AWARE.org and JMPD examined 26,578 recorded DUI arrests between January 2023 and December 2025, offering insight into when enforcement activity was most concentrated.
In 2025, 85.9% of recorded DUI arrests took place between 18:00 and 23:59. While this highlights the concentration of recorded arrests during the evening and late-night period, it is important to distinguish enforcement data from the overall prevalence of drinking and driving. Arrest figures reflect detected and recorded cases, rather than every instance of impaired driving on the roads.
The findings can nevertheless help inform operational planning and targeted prevention efforts, particularly when considered alongside public education and other measures intended to encourage safer decisions before motorists get behind the wheel.
From Testing To Prosecution
Over the past four years, AWARE.org has supported JMPD through specialised equipment, technical assistance and capacity building. This has included verification and calibration services, as well as support for data capturers responsible for processing and managing DUI cases.
Speaking at the event, JMPD Acting Deputy Director and Superintendent Mike Botolo highlighted the importance of collaboration beyond frontline enforcement.
“This partnership has shown us that we can achieve more by working with other stakeholders than through law enforcement alone. The work does not end when a motorist is stopped. Proper testing, evidence handling, and case management are important to ensuring that suspected offences can proceed through the criminal justice system,” he said.
That broader approach is also reflected in a case study running from June to December 2026. AWARE.org and JMPD are working with other criminal justice stakeholders, including the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority, to examine the process from identifying suspected alcohol-related offences to managing cases through the justice system.
The initiative aims to identify procedural gaps, improve coordination between stakeholders and strengthen accountability in case management and prosecution. Its intended outcomes include a more coordinated response to suspected DUI offences, alongside public education and rehabilitation. As the case study remains underway, these are objectives rather than confirmed results.
A Shared Responsibility For Safer Roads
The four-year milestone also included the handover of a signed partnership pledge and road-safety collateral and equipment to JMPD. The event also included the handover of a signed partnership pledge, road-safety collateral and equipment to JMPD, reflecting the collective commitment of AWARE.org and its industry stakeholders to supporting road safety and reducing alcohol-related harm.
For AWARE.org, the partnership reflects a whole-of-society approach to reducing alcohol-related harm, bringing together government institutions, businesses, civil society and communities.
“Reducing alcohol-related harm requires shared responsibility. By connecting enforcement with evidence-led prevention and public education, we can work towards safer roads and more informed decisions,” said Sola Oke, CEO of Pernod Ricard Africa and newly appointed AWARE.org Chairperson.
AWARE.org CEO Mokebe Thulo echoed the importance of connecting enforcement with broader prevention efforts. “Over the past four years, our partnership with JMPD has shown the importance of connecting enforcement with prevention and education to encourage safer behaviour and reduce alcohol-related harm,” she said.
The partnership highlights that addressing drinking and driving requires more than roadside enforcement alone. Accurate testing, effective case management, public education and individual responsibility all play a role in reducing the risks associated with getting behind the wheel after drinking.
