SA insurer calls for zero tolerance as drunk driving in SA still increasing

Cases of drink driving in South Africa have continued to increase over the past year, according to official police statistics released yesterday. This indicates that a large number of motorists are still not heeding calls to consider the risk they pose to

The crime statistics released yesterday revealed that for 2011/12, the figure for driving under the influence has increased by 2,9%, following the increase of 4,5% in the previous year.

Helen Szemerei, CEO of IntegriSure, says it is alarming that, in spite of greater police efforts to deal with the issue, South Africans continue to believe that drunk driving is acceptable. She says the continued increase in incidences means that drunk drivers need to be dealt with using the full force of the law. She refers to government’s announcement earlier this year that it is giving serious consideration to a zero tolerance approach for motorists who drink alcohol and drive.

“We applaud the recent drive by government to tackle this problem and believe that the lower increase in drunk driving incidences this year is testament to those initiatives. However, we hope that the zero tolerance approach does come to fruition as it is crucial to reducing the high number of fatal accidents on the roads and could also result in lower premiums for all motorists.”

“Preventing loss of life is paramount as we have far too many fatal accidents on the roads in South Africa. Drunk drivers tend to disobey the rules of the road and believe that they are immune to any danger by taking unnecessary risks such as speeding, not wearing seatbelts and skipping red robots. This irresponsible behavior poses a danger to all users of the road,” she says.

By contrast, Szemerei says sober drivers who have not been drinking are less inclined to speed and are more alert to deal with potential road dangers.

Furthermore, Szemerei says any move that does reduce the number of accidents may also assist consumers financially. “A reduction in the number of accidents on the roads will mean fewer claims being submitted and therefore more funds will be available in the collective insurance pool, which can be used to stabilize premiums and avoid unnecessary increases,” she says.

Szemerei says it is important to remember that it is more costly to replace a vehicle than it is to repair minor damages. Accidents by drunk drivers tend to be much more severe and are more likely to involve the car being written off, so the consequent financial burden to insurers is far higher, which then pushes up the overall cost of motor insurance premiums. Therefore, any law that can combat the incidences of drunken driving will be to the benefit of all drivers,” she says.

She says that in order to make such a policy change effective, it is necessary to change the mindset of drivers in South Africa. “We do not have the same public transport facilities in place that one finds in other countries such as the UK, so it is important that we start changing our habits; for example by appointing a sober driver beforehand.

“Drink driving has become a socially acceptable practice in South Africa and it will take a concerted effort from all parties to change this; however if enough awareness is created around the issue then we can begin to educate motorists and change attitudes,” says Szemerei.