THE South African Police Service, combined with other state and provincial authorities, are committed to reducing the crime of drinking and driving.
What is the limit?
Your blood may not have an alcohol content of more than 0.05%. This means that even after what you may think is a “small drink”, you could be over the limit.
If you have more than 350ml of beer, or if you have more than a single tot of brandy or other spirit, you may already be over the limit. Remember that these levels of alcohol will remain in your system for up to eight hours after consumption.
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Do not take chances – rather stay where you are until you have sobered up, or arrange for alternative transport home from wherever you plan to drink, and make such plans in advance to ensure that you are not left stranded.
What will happen if you are caught over the limit?
The South African Police Service, the various Metropolitan Police Departments and other law enforcement agencies frequently conduct roadblocks and man checkpoints to discourage people from drinking and driving.
If you are stopped at such a roadblock, and if it is determined that you have consumed more than the legal limit of alcohol 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 licence, or have it suspended. And, of course, you will have a criminal record!
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