In a city where drunken driving still claims lives annually, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has intensified its battle against drunken driving – with early signs of a force revitalized under the leadership of its new chief, Commissioner Patrick Jaca.

In the week from 28 April to 4 May 2025, the JMPD caught 115 drivers who were driving drunk. The crackdown, achieved through targeted roadblocks, undercover operations, and swift follow-ups on public tips, reflects not only a sobering snapshot of Johannesburg’s drinking-and-driving culture but also a rededicated determination on the part of law enforcement to rein it in.

This heightened enforcement is all the more dramatic as part of a broader citywide road safety campaign launched earlier this year by Commissioner Jaca, who has made traffic discipline a priority since taking command.

“Although the JMPD is working hard to enforce traffic law and arrest perpetrators, road safety is the responsibility of everyone,” Jaca stated following the arrests.

“We urge members of the public to make the right decisions, not to drink and drive, and to report suspected cases of driving under the influence. Your support is invaluable to assist in making our roads safer for everyone.”

A culture of impunity meets its reckoning

South Africa consistently ranks among the world’s highest road death tolls per capita. One of the contributing factors is alcohol, especially in city centers like Johannesburg where there is vibrant night life and a lack of public transportation after dark.

In most townships and affluent suburbs too, the sight of a driver casually taking a swig or speeding after a night out has long been greeted with a shrug. But Jaca’s JMPD is making it clear: those days are over.

“These arrests should serve as a wake-up call,” JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla said.

“Drinking and driving is not only illegal – it’s deadly. With every arrest, we may be preventing a tragedy.”

Leadership that hears, acts, and holds the line

Commissioner Patrick Jaca’s rise to the helm of JMPD was not without attention. A seasoned officer with a track record for operational toughness, his appointment in early 2025 came with a public ultimatum: restore order to Johannesburg’s ever-lawless roads.

Jaca has wasted no time since taking office. In addition to drunk driving, cracking down on speeding taxi drivers, unlicensed cars, and drag racing – issues that have plagued Johannesburg’s roads and bred public doubt about traffic enforcement – are on his agenda.

But what sets Jaca apart is not just the scope of operations — it’s the thought behind them. The JMPD under his leadership has become increasingly intelligence-driven, making use of surveillance technology, community tip-offs, and data analysis to identify hotspots and repeat offenders.

“Enforcement isn’t just about setting up roadblocks anymore,” said one senior JMPD official, who asked not to be named. “It’s about knowing where to be, when to be there, and who to watch.”

Public response: relief, praise – and a warning

On the ground, the campaign is earning the approval of many residents, especially those who have lost loved ones to drunk drivers.

“I wish this was done years ago,” Nhlanhla Dube, whose brother was killed in 2021 by a drunk driver, responded.

“Too many have lost their lives because someone chose to drink and drive. This is long overdue.”

Others appreciated the increased presence of JMPD in hotspots of crime.

“These operations are bearing fruit – you can see it,” said Refilwe Molefe, a rideshare driver.

“I feel safer driving night shifts now.”

Not everyone is cheering, however. Some critics have argued that such crackdowns could disproportionately affect lower-income motorists who lack access to safe public transit or who rely on informal social events for recreation.

To this, the JMPD’s position remains the same: public safety is non-negotiable.

“We recognise the structural issues, but drunk driving under no circumstance is acceptable,” Fihla said.

“There are alternatives – phone a friend, use an e-hailing app, or designate a sober driver.”

What’s next?

With the success of this week’s operation, the JMPD says it will persist – and even escalate – its road safety campaigns. City-wide awareness campaigns, more intense weekend operations, and increased collaboration with the Gauteng Provincial Government to make late-night public transport more available are on the cards.

Commissioner Jaca also proposed the utilisation of mobile alcohol testing units and body cameras for traffic officers to ensure transparency and accountability.

“We’re just getting started,” he said.

“The people of Johannesburg deserve safe roads, and we will not rest until we deliver them.”

The bottom line

The JMPD’s message is straightforward and unbending: drink and drive, and you will be arrested. With a tough, targeted, and data-driven strategy, Chief Jaca is changing road safety enforcement in Johannesburg – one arrest at a time.

But while police officers can enforce the law, it’s the public who ultimately need to choose responsibility over recklessness.

Because every time someone makes the choice not to drive drunk, a life might just be saved.