What is the legal drinking limit?
The News investigated how much you are allowed to drink.
The festive season is here and if you already planned your Christmas, your next step might be deciding which New Year’s party to go to.
You might want to celebrate and finding a designated driver could be a bit difficult. So what is the limit of alcohol you can have before the cops take over?
The South African Police Services released a statement on their website stating the limit of alcohol intake while driving and added that if you are found to be over the limit, you will be held in custody until you are able to post bail, face a minimum fine of R2 000 or a two-year prison sentence, or both or you may also lose your driver’s licence.
“Remember that these levels of alcohol will remain in your system for up to eight hours after consumption,” the statement continued.
The police advised the public to not take chances and 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.”
Mogale City’s Traffic Department head, William Nchefu, told the News that public safety officials will be more present on the roads during the festive season and especially from 24 December.
“We need the public to be safe, do not overload vehicles, take rest periods every two hours if you are driving long distances and do not drink and drive,” he said.
According to the Automobile Association (AA), the rule of thumb is a maximum of one unit of alcohol per hour, which constitutes 10 ml of pure alcohol, based on an adult weighing 68 kilograms (kg).
“Our bodies 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,” Gary Ronald from the AA said.
What does one unit represent?
• It is equal to two thirds of a beer or spirit cooler with five per cent alcohol content.
• For those who drink wine, 75 ml of red or white wine per hour with an alcohol content of 12 per cent to 14 per cent is acceptable.
• Whisky and brandy connoisseurs can drink up to one 25 ml tot of alcohol per hour.
The News wishes its readers a happy new year and plead that the community stay safe by adhering to the law when it comes to drinking and driving.
Read more here:
• How to know your limit and make the Festive Season live up to its promise
• Geniet die feestyd, maar moenie roekeloos wees nie
• Suspected reckless and negligent driver arrested
