Kenny Mampondo, Chief of the Rand West City Traffic Department spoke to the Herald on 23 November about drunken driving and the safety of pedestrians ahead of the festive season.
Mampondo said the first cause of the terribly high road carnage figures in South Africa is drunken driving. Second on the list of causes is failure to comply with road signs, for instance, a stop street or robot does not get obeyed. The third cause is fatigue, which can affect all drivers, regardless of the type of vehicle they are driving.
Mampondo explained that a breathalyser test is just a screening of your alcohol intake according to your breath. If you are found to be above the legal limit, you will be arrested and taken for blood tests. You then appear in front of the court, and usually granted bail.
Read more: VIDEO: Think twice before drinking and driving
Your blood sample is then sent to a laboratory or the forensics department, where the true percentage of alcohol in your blood is established. Only after these test results become available will you appear in court for sentencing.
The legal breath alcohol content limit in South Africa is 0,24mg per 1 000ml. The blood alcohol limit is 0,05g per 100ml. The breath alcohol content limit is equal to two-thirds of a beer with 5 percent alcohol.
Mampondo urges the community to not drink and drive, and if you are going to celebrate, for instance at New Year, you should rather sleep over at the party venue.
Pedestrian deaths are also a big concern, as they constitute 50 per cent of road deaths. Mampondo said, “At night, when walking, wear either white or a reflector jacket, and always walk against the oncoming traffic.”
He added that pedestrians should walk on the sidewalks, not in the street.
“Motorists should also respect pedestrian crossings. All road users have an equal right of way.”
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