Automobile Association: zero-alcohol driving limit may not yield desired results

AA's Layton Beard says, "In fact studies around the world have proven that reducing the alcohol limit doesn't necessarily lead to a reduction in fatal crashes. Another concern of ours is that we have very good legislation currently enforced in terms of alcohol usage and drunk driving." 

During a media briefing on the country's festive season road statistics, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said last week that the new limit along with a demerit system will be introduced this year. 

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South Africa's legal blood alcohol limit for drivers is less than 0.05g per 100ml of blood. 

The AA's Layton Beard says we need to know how government plans on implementing the new rule. 

"Many of the deaths on our roads annually are pedestrians, up to 40% of the deaths are pedestrians. So we remain concerned that the 0.00% limit in the piece of legislation won't have the impact that is desired. 

Beard also commented on the latest road fatalities statistics. 

Mbulula announced- that from the 1st of December to 11th of January - 1 448 people died on South African roads in 1 210 crashes. 

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The N3 near Harrismith in KZN accounted for the highest number of crashes and fatalities.

He says while they welcome the news of a reduction in road fatalities this past festive season -  there is still room for more intervention in order to reduce carnage over this period. AA's Layton Beard explains. 

"Year on year the decline in the death toll is around about 10%, you got to use that in the context of a decline in the traffic volumes of the same period also of 10%." 

"We remain in concern with the high number of fatalities on the road and AA believes that there are many measures that can be taken including the doubling of traffic law enforcement as one step and we feel that these need to looked at urgently," he adds.