Current legislation (applies to all drivers):

• Blood alcohol 0.08gm/100ml of blood
• Breath alcohol 0.38 milligram/1,000 millilitre of breath

New legislation (will become enforceable about March/April 1998):

Any person other than a professional driver:

• Blood alcohol 0.05gm/100ml of blood
• Breath alcohol 0.24 milligram/1,000 millilitre of breath

Professional driver (driver of goods vehicle exceeding a mass of 3.5 tonne or driver of vehicle carrying passengers for reward):

• Blood alcohol 0.02gm/100ml of blood
• Breath alcohol 0.10 milligram/1,000 millilitre of breath

Options to consider if you have been drinking:

• For every one drink consumed, wait one hour for the effect to wear off
• Let a sober friend drive you home or call a taxi
• Arrange for someone to stay sober and drive the rest of the party home
• Sleep over
• Ask a sober friend to walk you home.

The price paid for being caught breaking the law or causing an accident can be very high. Offenders can face a maximum fine of R120,000 and or six years’ imprisonment. Court case can be costly and insurance companies can refuse to pay out. Offenders’ driver’s licences will be suspended and they will be stuck with a criminal record for the rest of their lives.

Finally, there is always the possibility of having to live the rest of one’s life knowing that one has killed or seriously injured somebody while under the influence of alcohol - an act of aggression that no amount of remorse can ever reverse.

Join the Department of Transport’s campaign to Arrive Alive and don’t drink and drive.