Lots and lots of roadblocks, says JMPD
When will you be over the limit and what happens if you are arrested.
The festive season is here but not taking care when dealing with alcohol could bring a life of regret.
It is the time of socialising with friends and family, year-end functions, christmas parties and new year’s celebrations and alcohol is ever present. Even moderate drinkers face the problem that one drink can possibly put them over the limit, even if they do not feel or act inebriated. This could have serious consequences such as imprisonment (up to six years), a criminal record, fines and even having your drivers licence revoked.
The golden rule of drinking and driving is simple – do not.
According to Gary Ronald, Head of Public Affairs for the AA (Automobile Association of South Africa), “More than 21 000 people have been arrested on our roads in the last year as a result of drinking and driving, and it has been shown that 50 per cent of people who die on our roads are over the limit.”
The legal limit is a breath alcohol content of 0.24mg per 1 000ml, or a blood alcohol limit of 0.05g per 100ml which means 10ml of pure alcohol for an adult weighing 68kg. The human body can process only one unit of alcohol each hour. However, it is important to be aware that if you weigh less than 68kg your body will need more time to process the same amount of alcohol.
In layman’s terms a unit is equal to two thirds of a beer or spirit cooler with 5 per cent alcohol content per hour, 75ml of red or white wine with an alcohol a content of 12 to 14 per cent per hour and whisky and brandy connoisseurs can drink up to one 25ml tot of alcohol per hour.