You don’t have to pay traffic fines at roadblocks, and you may not be arrested for outstanding fines. As most people prepare for the festive season exodus, motorists can expect heightened roadblocks and zero-tolerance enforcement from SAPS and traffic departments across the country. But while the focus is on keeping roads safe, legal experts are reminding drivers that road safety and legal rights must go hand in hand.
Kirstie Haslam, a partner at DSC Attorneys, told Sowetan Consumer that motorists cannot be forced to pay any outstanding fines at a roadblock. “Doing so amounts to extortion. The only time you can be arrested at a roadblock is if an officer presents you with a valid warrant of arrest.
In that situation, you may legally be detained until the fine linked to that warrant is settled. But without a warrant, officers have no authority to demand on-the-spot payment with or without a card machine,” said Haslam. She said while law enforcement officers have a tough job keeping our roads safe, that doesn’t mean motorists surrender their rights at a roadblock.
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“Knowing what’s lawful and what isn’t can prevent unnecessary conflict or even unlawful arrest.” The festive season is known for increased road accidents, which are sometimes caused by irresponsible driving, and to prevent this, the department of transport surges its roadblocks across the country. According to the department, more than 997 roadblocks were conducted nationwide between December last year and January 2025, leading to 7,448 arrests for offences including drunk driving, speeding, and attempted bribery. Authorities issued more than 711,000 fines, impounded 8,917 unroadworthy vehicles, and recorded 1,234 fatal crashes that claimed 1,502 lives, a 5.3% increase in fatalities compared to the previous year.
“These numbers show why enforcement is essential, but it’s equally important that enforcement remains lawful and transparent. When drivers know their rights and officers respect them, roadblocks become safer and more effective for everyone.”
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