Beware, a new drunk driving law may be put in place before the end of the year!.
The current law permits a blood-alcohol concentration under 0,5g per 100ml and 0,24mg breath alcohol content per 1000ml. However, an amendment to this was proposed by South Africa’s Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, in 2019 and a new draft law was published in April 2020 (https://www.gov.za/node/798241).
This amendment sets the limit at 0% which means the even one sip of any alcoholic beverage will put you over the legal limit.
What does this mean for you and your insurance if you’re in an accident?
If you are involved in an accident and the percentage of alcohol in your blood exceeds the legal limit, or if you fail a breathalyser test, insurers may cancel your insurance policy or may even reject your application for vehicle insurance.
Use your insurance benefits to get home safely
If your insurance policy incorporates a ‘drive me home’ service, then best you make good use of this should you partake in alcohol consumption when away from home. Then you will have no excuse for driving under the influence of alcohol.
What if you’re caught?
Drunk driving can result in a heavy fine, or even jail time, or losing your driver’s licence, or having it suspended and, certainly, you will have a criminal record; not to mention, all the insurance complications and consequences.
It is without a doubt that this proposed new law with its zero-tolerance of alcoholic consumption has dire legal and insurance implications for those who drive when under the influence of alcohol.
Should you wish to learn more about your benefits, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Phone: 011 803 9686
Email: vivian@pbafsa.co.za
https://www.pbafsa.co.za/