Police urge everyone to party safely this festive season
Only accept tightly-sealed containers you have bought yourself and do not consume alcohol if you are under 18
In the interests of having a safe festive season, police wish to advise the public to take precautions to secure their personal safety during end-of-year functions and parties. Schoolchildren sometimes hold house parties and these should always be under the supervision of a responsible parent.
While at these parties, do not allow anyone to touch you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable; do not leave a party or social event with someone you do not know or have just met; and do not leave your cold drinks or drinks unattended. Only accept tightly-sealed containers you have bought yourself. Do not consume alcohol if you are under 18!
Remember that there is zero tolerance when it comes to drinking and driving. The SAPS are committed to reducing this crime, particularly over festive periods such as the Christmas holidays. No one is trying to stop you from having a good time – just be responsible!
This includes not supporting illegal liquor outlets, and do not drink in public places.
Your blood may not have an alcohol content of more than 0.05% (in the case of someone with a PDP, the percentage is even lower at 0.02%). This means that even after what you may think is a “small drink”, you could be over the limit. If you have more than 350ml of beer, OR if you have more than a single tot of brandy or other spirit, you may already be over the limit. Remember that these levels of alcohol will remain in your system for up to EIGHT hours after consumption!
Do not take chances – rather stay where you are until you have sobered up, or arrange for alternative transport home from wherever you plan to drink, and make plans in advance to ensure that you are not left stranded. Make use of a designated driver system where possible.
Police will be conducting roadblocks and manning other checkpoints to discourage people from drinking and driving. If you are stopped at a roadblock and if it is determined that you have consumed more than the legal limit of alcohol that you may legally consume while driving, you will be arrested and charged with driving under the influence of liquor.
During this time, it is also the ’16 Days of Activism’ campaign for “no violence against women and children”. Keep children safe by not supplying or selling liquor to children under 18 and by not drinking during pregnancy.
