Drinking and Driving
We all know we shouldn’t do it but...many of us still do it anyway. Some of us take a chance now and again while others do it rather regularly – driving under the influence of alcohol. Well, that makes you a criminal. How often do we throw up our hands in horror; exclaiming about the high crime rate in our country – murder, assault, carjacking, rape, you name it. Fact remains, if you are caught driving under the influence of alcohol and is found guilty; you become part of the crime statistics.

Talking about statistics:
1. According to the Medical Research Council (MRC) 53% of road users who die on South African roads had an alcohol level over the legal limit.
2. Fatal accidents cost the country R 52 billion in 2007.
3. South Africa is one of the highest alcohol consuming countries in the word.
4. Excessive alcohol consumption plays a major role in 60% of hospital trauma cases.
5. An average of 40 people will die on South African roads every single day.

How much is too much?
The legal alcohol limit in South Africa is now .05 gr per 100 ml of blood. This calculation is based on an adult male, weighing approximately 68 kg’s and who has eaten a meal before or during the consumption of alcohol. Women, we have learned, metabolize alcohol faster and will reach their limit faster; but each individual is unique and is affected by alcohol differently. Also remember no amount of coffee, showers or running will get the alcohol out of your bloodstream faster, only time will do it.

Isn’t it scary to think you many people go to work the day after a party and are still over the legal limit at the time they drive to work?

The effects of alcohol on your driving
Without going into a long medical explanation accept the fact that alcohol affects the brain – alcohol affects your judgment, reflexes, co-ordination and your vision; everything that is required for safe driving. Your ability to judge distances is limited, your peripheral vision is impaired and your reactions to an emergency situation are slowed down considerably.

How does drunk driving affect me when I claim from my car insurance?
The first and most important thing to remember is that your insurance company has the right to refuse paying out any claim you make on your car insurance policy if you were found guilty of drunk driving. You have committed an illegal act by driving under the influence and therefore the car insurance company has no obligation to meet your claim. The Road Accident Fund can also refuse to pay out claims resulting from a drunken driving accident. But not only that – your insurance company could decide that you are too high a risk for them to carry and refuse to continue your car insurance cover.

Should they be lenient and decide to pay out your claim you can be sure that your monthly insurance premium will go up rather heavily when renewal time comes around as you will now be classed as a high-risk driver. Should your driver’s license be suspended you will not be able to get car insurance anywhere.

The consequences of drunk driving
There is no way to soften this message – drunken driving can be the cause of your death, but also the death of other innocent people. If you survive, how do you live with the guilt that you have caused someone else’s death? How do you look their loved ones in the eye? Apart from a jail sentence living with the guilt must be the biggest punishment possible.

Fines for drunken driving have been increased to a maximum sentence of six years in prison or a fine of R120 000, or both! New advanced testing equipment is making it easier for police to prove drunken driving. A breathalyzer printout is acceptable as evidence in court. Legal costs and even a suspension of your driver’s licence can have a crippling effect on your life. Your car can be taken away, after all, without a license you are not allowed to drive.

Check your car insurance policy
Why don’t you go and check your car insurance policy right now? You will find it clearly states that your Insurance Company do NOT indemnify (or cover) you if you, or the driver of your car, do not have a valid driver’s licence, or drives under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or while the percentage of alcohol in the driver’s blood exceeds the legal limit.

Some policies now specifically include the failing of a breathalyzer test in this section. The same applies for having your licence endorsed for negligent, reckless or drunken driving, or for driving while the percentage of alcohol in your blood exceeds the legal limit.

So can you still have fun?
If South Africa had a decent, save public transport system available it would help. Until such time, make sure you have a sober, dedicated driver available, or party at home.

Remember that you always need to remain alert while driving and look out for signs of possible drunken driving. Don’t take chances and don’t retaliate in any way if provoked. Rather phone and alert the police as soon as you can park in a save place.

Don’t drink and drive – stay alive.