As the festive season starts to kick into high gear, so too does the flurry of office parties, social get togethers and sundowner sessions that characterise the South African summer. And with work winding down and holidays on the way, caution is often thrown to the wind, bringing about an inevitable spike in road fatalities.
South Africa received the dubious honour in 2015 of being the country with the most drunk driving related deaths in the world [i]– perhaps as a result of a population unaware of their options or their limits – and fatality figures continue to increase year on year. But with more and more alternatives now becoming available across the country – many of them offered at no added cost by insurers and banks – there is simply no excuse to get behind the wheel should you be compromised in any way.
So how do you know when to say no? And how much is too much when it comes to drinking and driving? Here are a few key things to bear in mind before you get behind the wheel this festive season:
Know your limits
Drinking can impair reflexes, concentration and overall decision making. As a rule, it is probably best to stay completely sober if you are planning to drive home. However, should you be prepared to exercise moderation, it is important to understand what constitutes the legal limit in terms of blood alcohol content.
The current legal limit is a blood alcohol limit of 0.05g per 100ml of blood or a breath alcohol limit of less than 0.24mg in 1 000 ml of breath[ii]. This equals roughly 2 units of alcohol – which means if you have had two small glasses of wine or two beers, you are probably over the legal limit to drive. Bear in mind this number can differ based on metabolism and various other individual factors like how much and when last you ate, how much sleep you had, what medication you are taking, your physical wellness as well as the time frame in which you drank those two drinks.
So while you might believe yourself to be in full control of your faculties or assure fellow drinkers that you are ‘just going down the road’, be safe and err on the side of caution – if you drink, don’t drive.
Plan ahead
The key to getting home safely is planning ahead and with countless driving services now available to South Africans, there is simply no excuse not to exercise foresight. Services like Uber and Taxify are now available in most towns and cities, making getting around without risk far easier than in days gone by.
However, if you are out of town or away on holiday, you might need to undertake a bit more research and careful planning, taking time to identify a taxi service that you can pre-book before heading out for a night of revelry. Additionally, many insurers and banks now offer a number of free drive assists per year, depending on your policy or account standing. So make sure you know all your available options and avoid putting yourself in a situation where you are forced to make ill-advised decisions.
Understand your rights
Should you have had a drink or two and you find yourself caught in a roadblock this festive season, do not panic. Remember, road blocks are set up to keep you safe and by remaining compliant and cooperative, you are unlikely to leave in the back of a police van.
Should you be stopped at a roadblock, you can be arrested for resisting a breathalyser test or if high amounts of alcohol are found in your blood. Given the prevalence of road blocks over the festive period, it is probably best to abstain entirely from alcohol, as it is almost impossible to predict how your body will process it. You can also be detained for outstanding fines, should there be a warrant out for your arrest, or for physically or verbally abusing a police officer. As such, your best bet is to exercise calm, follow instructions and ensure you are well under the legal limit at all times.
Wherever you’re headed this holiday, your safety should always be your number 1 concern. So while it’s important to let your hair down, this should never be done at yours’ or anyone else’s expense. A little bit of planning, a degree of caution and an understanding of your legal rights should ensure that you get home safely this season.
MiWay is an Authorised Financial Services Provider (Licence no: 33970).
[Article by Nthabiseng Moloi, MiWay Insurance, Head of Marketing & Brand]
Our Top10 Tips for your Safety on the Roads this Weekend!! https://t.co/OFfRSaremS #ArriveAlive #RoadSafety pic.twitter.com/80JAHOATd1
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) November 9, 2018