MANY companies across South Africa are currently hosting end-of-year functions for their staff.
While these are festive celebrations, the Automobile Association (AA) urged all motorists to remember that alcohol and driving do not mix, and that alternatives are available to drivers who want to drink at these events.
According to figures published by the Road Traffic Management Corporation, most fatalities on SA roads occur on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 5pm and 10pm. The AA said these periods were significant and clearly coincided with times of increased drinking when the risk was higher.
“It’s become somewhat of a ritual at this time of year to warn drivers of the dangers of drinking and driving. But, unfortunately, the message appears to be lost as many people still insist on drinking and driving, which not only endangering their lives, but those of other road users,” said the AA.
The AA also noted that traffic authorities around the country had made it clear that they would increase their activities and that more checks and roadblocks were coming in the near future.
“There really is no excuse for drunk driving nowadays. There are many take-me-home services available, including AA Designated Driver (visit www.aa.co.za for more information) that are reliable, affordable and safe. We urge anyone who is going to be drinking to seriously consider these options before getting behind the wheel themselves. Companies hosting year-end events must also take responsibility and NOT allow workers who have been drinking to drive home,” the AA said.
Apart from this, the AA said while efforts to deal with drink drivers were being stepped up across the country, more needed to be done. It noted that there were approximately 9 million drivers in South Africa but that only 3 000 cases of drunk driving were opened monthly – less than 0,5% of all drivers. With the known rates of alcohol use in South Africa, this indicates that the enforcement rate was particularly low and that a fresh approach to tackling lawbreakers who drink and drive was needed.
“Those caught drinking and driving must face the harshest possible penalties. We believe that a message needs to be sent to all South Africans that this type of reckless behaviour will not be tolerated,” the AA said.
