Drinking and Driving
What is the limit?
Your blood may not have an alcohol content of more than 0.05%. You could after a "small drink", already be over the limit. A 350ml glass of beer or other spirit could mean that you already exceeded the limit. Remember that these levels of alcohol will remain in your system for up to eight hours after consumption!
It is always better to wait until you are sober, arrange for alternative transport or someone to take you home or rather not drive at all. If you are a group of friends, arrange for one friend not to drink and to be the responsible person to take you home. Take turns to return the favour.
The consequences of being caught over the legal limit?
A criminal record for one! Members of the South African Police Service, the various other law-enforcement agencies are frequently conducting road blocks. If you are stopped at a roadblock, it is determined that you have consumed more than the legal limit of alcohol that you may legally consume while driving, you will be arrested and charged with “Driving Under the Influence of Liquor”. You will be held in custody until you are able to post bail (in certain instances bail may be denied). Depending on prior convictions against you, as well as the circumstances surrounding your arrest, you face a minimum fine of R2 000 or a two-year prison sentence, or both. You may also lose your driver's license, or have it suspended.
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