Driving under the influence is a major threat to road safety in South Africa. Various psychoactive substances (both licit and illicit) have the potential to adversely affect driving performance and increase the probability of a road traffic accident. While it is common practice in South Africa to test drivers for alcohol levels, testing for additional impairing substances (including drugs of abuse) is rarely performed. In terms of current South African legislation, only driving under the influence of alcohol and a ‘drug having a “narcotic” effect’ is prohibited. This excludes several impairing psychoactive drugs which are not classified as narcotic substances. The aim of this article is to highlight issues and/or limitations surrounding drugged driving and to propose appropriate considerations for revision of the National Road Traffic Act. We also recommend revising existing legislation to include a comprehensive statutory definition and detailed provisions for drug testing to deter impaired driving.

中文翻译：

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南非的毒品驾驶：迫切需要进行审查和改革

受此影响驾驶是南非道路安全的主要威胁。各种精神活性物质（合法的和非法的）都有可能对驾驶性能产生不利影响，并增加发生道路交通事故的可能性。尽管南非通常测试驾驶员的酒精水平，但很少进行其他有害物质（包括滥用药物）的测试。根据南非现行法律，只有在酒精和“具有“麻醉”作用的药物”的影响下才可以驾驶。这不包括几种未归类为麻醉性物质的精神活性药物。本文的目的是强调有关毒品驾驶的问题和/或局限性，并提出适当的考虑因素以修订《国家道路交通法》。