Part 2: The Real Cost of Breaking Road Safety Laws in South Africa
You’ve just joined us in part two of our traffic laws series. Part one covered the basics that every motorist should know. This instalment, part two, looks at what happens when road safety laws are broken.
Spoiler alert: the consequences go far beyond a dent in your wallet.
Your Money or Your Life—Costly Mistakes on the Road.
Yes, traffic violations come with fines. But the real cost could be your life or someone else’s. The rules of the road exist for one primary reason: safety. Disregarding them can change lives forever.
Let’s explore the risks of breaking road rules and why South African road safety laws deserve your respect.
Distracted Driving: That WhatsApp Can Wait
That notification might feel urgent, but is it? Enjoy the peace and quiet of the drive. Let life be suspended for just twelve minutes until you make it to the driveway safely.
Lily won’t know what time you found out that she did ok at cross country. Your spouse, colleagues, and randos would probably appreciate you hanging around on earth a little longer than receiving a 👍thumbs up reaction.
Distracted driving contributes to 60–80% of motor vehicle accidents in South Africa.
Taking your eyes off the road for just five seconds at 90 km/h means you’ve travelled 125 metres blind. That’s roughly the length of a rugby field.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is why using a handheld device while driving is illegal. Full stop. The fine can reach R1,000, plus AARTO demerit points.
If you really, really need to know what that WhatsApp says, invest in a hands-free system and activate text-to-speech settings. This is when your phone reads your messages aloud. The feature has many naming conventions, usually Select to Speak or TalkBack for Android, and Speak Screen or Speak Selection for iOS (iPhone).
Drunk Driving is a Deadly Gamble
South Africa’s blood alcohol limit is 0.05% for regular drivers, and, if we’re honest, you’re gambling with lives before you even cross that line.
The penalties for drunk driving are severe, with fines ranging from R2,000 to R120,000, jail time of up to six years, licence suspension, and a criminal record that follows you forever. But those are just the legal consequences.
According to the Minister of Transport’s 2024/2025 festive season statistics, 87% of crashes happen because of human behaviour, with drunk driving being a major contributor. If you kill someone while driving under the influence, you’ll carry that weight for the rest of your life.
Don’t drink and drive! Call an Uber, call a designated friend or use Home Drive to get you and your car home safely. Your life, and the lives of innocent people, are worth infinitely more than a few toots at the tavern.
Road User Russian Roulette: Running Red Lights and Stop Signs
Contrary to the way many people behave, the amber light does not mean speed up.
Running red lights and ignoring stop signs are among the most dangerous traffic violations because they create unpredictable scenarios for other road users.
Pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists rely on everyone following these signals. Breaking them doesn’t just risk a fine—it risks a T-bone collision, severe injuries, or death.
Don’t take my word for it. There are far too many videos on TikTok that prove this point.
Rules Exist for a Reason
At the risk of making this blog a major snooze fest. These things must be said (and shared with those you love).
Road safety laws aren’t red tape designed to frustrate you—they’re protective measures to save lives.
You probably noticed the mention of AARTO in our last two posts. Part three unpacks the AARTO system: how demerits work, what happens when you hit 12 points, and how to stay penalty-free. (Sign up to receive it as soon as it lands )
While you’re focused on following the rules, we’re focused on recovering vehicles. Beame’s smart technology gives you 24/7 peace of mind with industry-leading recovery rates. Because even careful drivers deserve protection.
