hen 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.
There is also no quick-fix solutions to sobering up. Drinking coffee, a litre of water, sweets with high sugar content, condensed milk or cold showers are all urban myths. Once the alcohol is in your system your liver will need one hour to process a unit of alcohol.
According to Metro Police spokesperson, Wayne Minnaar motorists should also know the following. If you are arrested for driving under the influence you will not be allowed to smoke or drink a beverage since this might interfere with the measuring of your blood/alcohol content. It depends on the police station where you are being held to decide when they will let you apply for bail and being arrested on a weekend might mean you only get bail on a Monday.
If you are arrested a blood sample has to be taken within two hours of arrest and the arresting officer must be present. You can not refuse a blood sample. The punishment meted out by the court depends on the magistrate and aggravating factors may include previous offences.
“Motorists must know that this festive season there will be lots and lots of roadblocks,” stresses Minnaar. He also says they will be held in different and unusual places at all times of the day and asked the public to cooperate.
Minnaar goes as far as to say the public must ignore the one unit per hour rule, and rather see it as one unit per evening.
“My advice is simple. If you are going to have a drink call a cab,” says Minnaar.
