{"id":52909,"date":"2022-11-09T09:44:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-09T07:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/zero-tolerance-for-drinking-and-driving-with-silly-season-around-the-corner-20221109\/"},"modified":"2025-03-19T20:53:27","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T18:53:27","slug":"zero-tolerance-for-drinking-and-driving-with-silly-season-around-the-corner-20221109","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/zero-tolerance-for-drinking-and-driving-with-silly-season-around-the-corner-20221109\/","title":{"rendered":"Zero tolerance for drinking and driving with ‘silly season’ around the corner"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With the silly season around the corner, the Table View police are warning motorists against drinking and driving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just last month, metro police officers arrested 172 suspects and issued 4 315 fines in a span of a week. Among those arrested were 13 suspects on charges related to domestic violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Table View police spokesperson Capt Adriana Chandler says the police, combined with other government and provincial authorities, are committed to reducing this crime, particularly over festive periods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo one is trying to stop you from having a good time \u2013 just be responsible about doing it,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The City\u2019s Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith says the number of weekly arrests continues to be a double-edged sword. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn the one hand, it reinforces the good work being done on the streets by our staff members, but it is also indicative of ongoing levels of criminality,\u201c he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the number of confiscations is still low, it is likely to increase as we head into the peak summer season, \u201cso now is as good a time as any to remind the public that it is against the law to consume alcohol in public,\u201d he says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the limit?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your blood may not have an alcohol content of more than 0,05%. This means that even after what you may think is a \u201csmall drink\u201d you could be over the limit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have more than 350 ml of beer, or if you have more than a single tot of brandy or other spirits, you may already be over the limit. Remember that these levels of alcohol will remain in your system for up to eight hours after consumption,\u201d Chandler warns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She urges the public not to take chances \u2013 \u201crather stay where you are until you have sobered up, or arrange for alternative transport home from wherever you plan to drink and make such plans in advance to ensure that you are not left stranded.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caught and over the limit?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The police and other law enforcement agencies are more frequently conducting road blocks and manning other checkpoints to discourage people from drinking and driving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you are stopped at such a roadblock, and if it is determined that you have consumed more than the legal limit of alcohol, you will be arrested and charged with driving under the Influence of liquor,\u201d Chandler says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She warns that the offender will be held in custody until they are able to post bail (in certain instances bail may be denied). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDepending on prior convictions against you, as well as the circumstances surrounding your arrest, you face a minimum fine of R2 000 or a two-year prison sentence, or both. You may also lose your driver\u2019s licence, or have it suspended. And, of course, you will have a criminal record.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Report drunk or reckless driving<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can report drunk or reckless driving to the City\u2019s traffic services or to the National Transport Call Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The City\u2019s law enforcement, traffic and coordination department can be reached by calling 021 480 7700. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also contact the National Traffic Call Centre on 086 140 0800.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When reporting the incident, make sure you include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n