THE AA REJECTS THE PROPOSED ZERO BLOOD ALCOHOL LIMIT

The Automobile Association (AA) of South Africa has been very vocal about their rejection of government’s proposed plan to change the blood alcohol limit for drivers to zero.

According to the National Road Traffic Act, the current blood alcohol content limit for drivers are 0.05 grams per 100-millilitres. If the Department of Transports has its way, it will be lowered to 0 grams.

While the AA doesn’t support drunk driving at all and understands the plan is to reduce road deaths, it will, however, criminalise innocent motorists, the AA’s Layton Beard told East Coast Radio.

He says, for example, some people take medication that contains alcohol.

"You can’t legislate yourself out of a problem that essentially requires boots on the ground. In other words more traffic law enforcement officers. If the proposed amendment is passed how will any of that change the current state of traffic law enforcement?"

This means that even if a person doesn’t drink at all, but happens to have a cough and drinks cough syrup that contains alcohol, they will be arrested if pulled over and tested.

Beard went on to say that unless there is more policing, the AA fears that the proposed amendments will have minimal impact.

The Department is awaiting written comments on its proposed amendments.

Watch the Newzroom Afrika video below for more on the matter.

Image credit: EWN