South Africa could soon be moving to a zero-tolerance approach to drinking and driving, after Transport Minister Barbara Creecy said her department plans to change the current legal blood alcohol limit.
Right now, drivers are allowed up to 0.05g per 100ml, but the proposed change would make it completely illegal to consume any alcohol before getting behind the wheel. The idea is to remove any ambiguity and send a clear message that drinking and driving simply do not mix.
The proposal has quickly gained political support, including from Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Transport, which pointed to the thousands of deaths on the country’s roads during the recent festive season. Committee chairperson Donald Selamolela warned that without decisive action, high fatality figures are likely to continue during upcoming peak travel periods like Easter. He also acknowledged that past oversight may not have been strict enough in tackling the problem.
Beyond lowering the limit to zero, lawmakers are also talking about much harsher consequences for offenders.
One of the suggestions on the table is lifetime bans on holding a driver’s licence for those convicted of drinking and driving. Supporters argue that South Africa’s existing policy is outdated and that many other countries have already moved to zero-tolerance or stricter regimes.
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