Drinking and driving is nothing to joke about. There’s a familiar saying that goes, “What do you call a man who’s had 12 beers? The designated driver.” It may sound like humour, but for many in our country, it mirrors a troubling truth — driving under the influence is still treated as acceptable, even praiseworthy, behaviour.

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What’s far from a joke, however, is the devastating impact of drunk driving. According to Rhys Evans, managing director at ALCO-Safe, alcohol is a factor in about 65% of fatal road accidents in South Africa. Behind those numbers are countless lives lost, families broken, and futures changed forever.

How Many Drinks Are Legally Allowed?

The legal limit for alcohol in South Africa is very specific. According to the Road Traffic Act, the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) may not exceed:

0.05 grams per 100 millilitres of blood for ordinary drivers.
0.02 grams per 100 millilitres for professional drivers such as taxi and truck drivers.

This roughly equals one or two 300ml beers or a glass or two of wine (120ml) for the average person.

But this calculation can be misleading. Factors like body weight, gender, metabolism, and genetics all affect how alcohol is processed. For some, one beer may be enough to cross the legal limit. Others may feel fine but are already too impaired to drive safely.

Even small amounts of alcohol slow reaction time and impair judgment, meaning a driver can be a danger to themselves and others long before they are officially over the limit.

Weak Enforcement Fuels the Problem

Despite these clear limits, many motorists are unaware or choose to ignore them. This problem is compounded by inconsistent law enforcement.

While penalties for drunk driving including hefty fines, imprisonment, licence suspension, and a criminal record exist, they are often not applied consistently. The long-delayed demerit system, which would strengthen accountability, still hasn’t been fully implemented.

For real impact, enforcement needs to be more visible and consistent. That means:

More roadside breathalyser checkpoints
Regular operations by law enforcement
Stronger prosecution of offenders

New technologies like in-car alcohol detection systems could also help, particularly for repeat offenders, though they can be costly and controversial.

Changing the Culture Around Drinking and Driving

Stricter laws and better policing are essential, but they won’t fix the problem alone. South Africa needs a cultural shift where drunk driving becomes socially unacceptable.

This includes:

Friends refusing to let each other drive drunk
Families holding one another accountable
Communities openly discouraging risky behaviour

Public awareness campaigns also need to go beyond catchy slogans. They should educate people about alcohol’s real effects, empower communities to act, and encourage personal responsibility.

While the legal alcohol limit may allow a drink or two, the safest option is always zero when you plan to drive.

Don’t drink and drive. Lives including your own depend on it.