Every year, about 14 000 people are killed on South African roads with over 150 000 injured in car accidents. According to research by South Africans Against Drunk Driving (SADD), 27 to 58% of accidents are caused by drunk driving with pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and runners at risk.

RISE IN YOUNG PEOPLE DRUNK DRIVING CASES

The National Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said it was concerned about the rise in number of young people being arrested driving under the influence of alcohol. During the December holidays, most reported drunken driving arrests found drivers five- to nine times over the limit of 0,05 g per 100 ml. Spokesperson Simon Zwane said most of those who are caught drunk and driving are under the age of 35. "We have also arrested them for being beyond the speed limits. It's such situations that have made us to make sure that our teams are visible and effecting laws to the road users," he said. The South African Against Drunk Driving said that alcohol intoxication also accounts for at least 27.1% of all driver-error-attributed fatal crashes. 

PENALTIES FOR DRINKING AND DRIVING 

If you are caught driving, drunk there will be penalties and demerit points under the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) law. Depending on prior convictions against you, according to the SAPS, you face a minimum fine of R2 000 to a maximum of R120 000 or a two-year prison sentence, or both. You may also lose your driver's licence or have it suspended. This means that if you are caught again, the previous penalties will become applicable. According to Arrive Alive, you could go to jail for up to six years if you kill someone while driving under the influence of alcohol for culpable homicide and end up with a criminal record. 

AVOID DRINKING AND DRIVING BY DOING THE FOLLOWING:

• When planning an evening outing where you will be drinking, have someone willing to be your designated driver who will remain sober throughout the night.
• Do not drink on an empty stomach as you will get intoxicated quickly. Though you can still be over the legal alcohol limit, when you have had a meal before drinking, it will help reduce the chances of drinking and driving.
• If you do choose to go out by yourself, avoid drinking especially if you are planning to drive back home.
• Use e-hailling services. There are a number of e-hailling apps you can download and use when you are intoxicated, and they are reasonable. For your own safety, share the driver's details with your loved once, especially late at night.

Sources: Arrive Alive/SAPS/SADD