How many drinks you can have before it's illegal to drive
Here's some clarity on how much you can actually drink before driving.
Drinking and driving is a serious offence in South Africa, with devastating effects on the lives of residents every year.
Not only are there serious legal implications for driving under the influence, but it can also lead to severe injuries or loss of life.
Despite the many negative outcomes that can result from drinking and driving, it remains a common occurrence in South Africa.
According to a 2020 Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) report, alcohol was implicated in "33% to 69% of selected driver samples in various geographic and clinical settings."
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The dangers don't just affect motorists but also pedestrians.
"Pedestrians were three times more likely to die in a crash where the driver was intoxicated," said the RTMC.
Legal driving limit
In South Africa, there is a legal limit to how much alcohol you can have in your system while driving.
Under current South African law, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers is 0.05 grams per 100 millilitres of blood.
According to The Citizen, this equates to roughly one or two 300ml beers or one to two 120ml glasses of wine for general drivers.
This means that even a "small drink" can put you over the limit, says the South African Police Service (SAPS).
"If you have more than 350ml of beer, or if you have more than a single tot of brandy or another spirit, you may already be over the limit," says the SAPS.
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For professional drivers, such as truck or taxi operators, the limit is even stricter at 0.02 grams per 100 millilitres of blood.
Although the limit exists, it's not a one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to how quickly you can reach it.
Body weight, gender, metabolism, and genetics all influence how alcohol is processed, which means BAC levels can differ greatly between people, even if they drink the same amount.
This often means that people don't realise how quickly they can exceed the legal limit.
In reality, the limit is so low and dependent on each person’s physiology that it’s simply not worth the risk.
Legal implications
Risking your own life, the lives of your loved ones, and those of others should be enough motivation to understand the dangers of drinking and driving.
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However, aside from the potentially fatal consequences, there are also serious legal repercussions for driving under the influence.
Here are some of the main consequences of drunk driving, according to Meyer & Partners Attorneys:
- Criminal Offence: Driving under the influence of alcohol is a criminal offence in South Africa. It is covered by the National Road Traffic Act, which classifies it as a serious violation of the law.
- Arrest and Detention: Law enforcement officers can stop and arrest drivers suspected of drunk driving. If arrested, the driver’s vehicle may be impounded.
- Penalties: The legal consequences of drunk driving can be severe. Depending on the circumstances and previous offences, convictions may result in fines, licence suspension, or imprisonment.
- Criminal Record: A conviction for drunk driving results in a criminal record, which may have long-lasting implications for future employment and travel.
- Insurance Consequences: Insurers are unlikely to cover accidents that occur while a driver is under the influence. Convicted individuals often face higher premiums, making driving more expensive.
- Loss of Employment: A drunk driving conviction may lead to job loss for professional drivers, such as truck or transport workers.
- Rehabilitation and Treatment: In some cases, a court may require offenders to attend rehabilitation or alcohol treatment programs.
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