Stricter road legislation in 2013 may benefit you

Following the recent announcement by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) that drunk driving and speeding remain the biggest contributors to accidents occurring on South African roads, Arnold van der Linde, Executive Chairman of IntegriSure, has

“Despite some encouraging results from recent road-safety initiatives, an alarming 1 465 people still lost their lives in fatal road accidents this season. These figures show that it is imperative that a harsher approach to road safety is necessary in South Africa. We therefore welcome comments from Transport Minister Ben Martins suggesting that government will be reviewing existing legislative instruments with regards to drunk driving on South African roads,” he says.

Van der Linde says South Africa needs to follow suit from other countries, such as the US, UK, Australia and Japan, which have implemented very strict legislation preventing drunk-driving.

According to van der Linde, some states and countries do not allow a blood alcohol level exceeding 0.02 ml. Additional laws and requirements exist for younger inexperienced drivers, those holding a driver's license for less than 12 months, those who have been recently issued drivers’ licenses but are still under 25 years of age, and those with previous records of conviction for driving under the influence.

“In South Africa getting caught driving under the influence of alcohol means you will need to appear in court. If you’re found guilty, you could face up to six years in jail. You could also be liable for fines of up to R120000. There is room, however, for a harsher sentence like one which stands in Japan - drivers caught behind the wheel of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs are in danger of up to a 15-year prison sentence – a sentence which may also involve forced labor requirements.”

Drinking and driving has become a socially acceptable practice in South Africa, it will take legislation with consequences harsh enough to prompt drivers into proactively changing their driving habits,” he says.

Van der Linde says, while there is always increased campaigning over the festive season, this should not be the only time for motorists to stop and think about the consequences of bad driving habits.

“The death rate on South African roads has become a chronic problem - with a staggering figure of 40 lives being lost every single day. Not only are these deaths senseless tragedies, but R306 billion (about 10% of the Domestic Gross Product GDP) is lost in the economy every year as a result of these collisions. If tougher rules are implemented these figures could drop dramatically.”

Additionally, with only 33% of vehicles being insured on our roads, Van der Linde says responsible drivers should realise that they stand to gain financially from any move to reduce the number of accidents on the roads.

“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,” he explains. But with an average claims cost of R20k per bumper basing, it’s imperative to have comprehensive insurance cover in place to protect yourself against financial loss and enjoy peace of mind.”

Furthermore, Van der Linde concedes that drunk driving is not the sole cause of accidents and that government should also use this year to clamp down on removing more unroadworthy vehicles from our roads, upgrade the condition of our national road network and imposing stricter fines or making arrests of officials and drivers who collaborate in the process of illegal or fraudulent drivers’ licenses.