With the festive season and all the celebrations ahead it is most important that vehicle owners think before the drink! We have emphasized earlier that a car insurance claim can be rejected if it is found that the driver was driving with an alcohol limit above the legal limit!
We have also made available information on the topic “How much is too much to drink before I drive?” As a general rule you might be crossing the limit after more than 2 drinks – and this may have significant consequences not only for your safety on the road – but also for your car insurance policy and accident claims!
During 2009 and 2009 a number of Dräger centers were established across South Africa. Thousands of motorists were breathalysed at these centres – and many more will be breathalysed in the next few months!
It is important to understand that these tests are not kept only at these centres – but are indeed shared with insurance companies in South Africa.
The Dräger centers send the results of the tests to the South African Insurance Crime Bureau [SAICB]. The information is run through the system of the SAICB and the insurers are identified. The information is then sent to the industry to flag the account – so that if a client submits a claim after being involved in an accident and driving under the influence, then members of the SAICB already know that the person was drunk at the time of the accident.
We would like to urge all South African drivers to drink responsibly. The best advice is not to drink when you are driving. Arrange for a designated driver and if you will be having a few drinks – consider carrying a breathalyser in your car and perform self-testing to ensure that you are within the limit!!
Also view:
Drunk driving and car insurance
How much is too much to drink before I drive?
