Stopping short of toasting the jerk
As we go into the final quarter of 2008 - a year that will go down in the history books as one of unique tumultuous political, economic and social changes - we begin preparations for our annual year-end break.
For the average person out there, increases in food prices, interest rates and fuel have undoubtedly affected our disposable income. So, are we going on holiday? Probably most will, but there will certainly be many who simply don’t have the financial means to go away this year. There is, however, one aspect that’s unlikely to change, regardless of the economic situation - those year-end office parties and festive celebrations where we all seem to just let loose - often end up drinking way too much – then jump into our cars and drive home.
We’ve heard it all before – the various messages from road safety organisations – “Don’t drink and drive”, etc. But how many of us really take it seriously? Our government and most traffic authorities certainly don’t take it seriously enough! I doubt that more than 5% of all traffic officers have breathalysers as standard equipment in their vehicles, and would be surprised if many more have been trained in the use thereof. When was the last time any of us came across an ‘alco’-roadblock. My last memory (with the exception of KwaZulu-Natal) goes back more than 15 years.
So, if it’s unlikely we’re going to get caught and we all believe we can still drive a vehicle quite competently even if we have had too much to drink, why on earth should we concern ourselves about driving under the influence? According to the latest statistics available, 75% of pedestrians and 55% of drivers killed on our roads are under the influence of alcohol. If we take our average annual road fatalities and combine the vehicle and pedestrian statistics, it would equate to between 8 000 and 9 000 people killed on our roads annually as a direct result of alcohol! That should make us all wake up. These stats exclude those who are left behind injured or permanently disabled. Recent research indicates some frightening trends: after 6pm in Gauteng it’s estimated that 1 in 15 road users are over the legal alcohol limit. You work out how many vehicles you interact with on your way home, and do the math. And not all of them are men. There is a marked increase in the number of women driving under the influence of alcohol. The recent TMS report – approximately 2 000 people interviewed – showed around 30% acknowledged driving while intoxicated.
Unfortunately, there is a drinking culture in South Africa – it’s largely socially acceptable to drink and drive. Friends come round, we share a few drinks and have a meal, and then drive home - often with our loved ones in the car. The example set by celebrities and so-called role models certainly doesn’t improve the situation. It’s not possible to explain or share the emotional trauma of losing a loved one due to a drunk driver causing an accident. Being involved in the emergency services, I see it all too often and there is, in all reality, only one description for it – gross stupidity! So how do we tackle this critical issue, because surely we cannot allow it to continue? To expect various law enforcement agencies to move from hiding behind bushes while speed timing and adequately focus on the drinking and driving problem, would be fantasy.
There are some of us on the road who just don’t give a damn, whether it relates to drinking and driving, crossing solid barrier lines, or simply driving like jerks! However, there are those of us, and I would like to believe we are the majority, that with just a little effort and awareness could easily observe the laws relating to drinking and driving – after all it is the responsible thing to do!
I guess what I’m saying is, please think about it, make alternative arrangements when you know you may be in a position where you’ve had too much to drink, don’t allow a friend or colleague to drive home after that year-end function when you know they are over the limit. Think about your own loved ones and the impact on them if you don’t come home.
Let each one of us put up our hands and commit to responsible behaviour.
Remember – YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!
Philip Hull is a director of the Road Safety Foundation (RSF) and has been involved in road safety for some 26 years. Having started the RSF in 2007 with co-director Petro Kruger, their main aim is to identify, project and manage road safety priorities.
Interaction from the public and sponsorship for projects is always welcome – info@roadsafetyfoundation.co.za
