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WHILE December is labelled as the worst month for motor vehicle accidents, especially car crashes, accidents can and do happen at any time of the year. That is why the Hillcrest SAPS have warned the public not to drink and drive.
Hillcrest SAPS communication officer Captain Linzi Smith said many people have the attitude that “one drink won’t’ harm you”, a mindset which she says should be avoided.
“Drinking and driving is illegal,” she said.
The captain said what the public don’t realise is that they might lose their driving rights because, if one is found out to be drunk whilst driving by law enforcement, the offending person may lose their driver’s licence.
“It doesn’t matter how old are you, if you don’t follow the rules of the road, as it is stated that there is no drinking of alcohol and driving, you will get what’s coming to you,” she said.
Smitch stated that there are penalties for imposed drunk driving that may lead to one losing their learners or driver’s licence. Some of the penalties can be seen below.
Section 35 — On conviction of certain offences licence and permit shall be suspended for a minimum period and learners or driving licence may not be obtained.
(1) Subject to subsection (3), every driving licence or every licence and permit of any person convicted of an offence referred to in —
(a) Section 61 (1) in the case of death of or serious injury to a person
(b) Section 63 (1) driving recklessly,
(c) Section 65 (1), (2) or (5) where such person is the holder of a driving licence or a licence and permit, shall be suspended in the case of —
(i) A first offence — for a period of at least six months
(ii) A second offence — for a period of at least five years; or
(ii) A third or subsequent offence — for a period of at least ten years.
“People must be smart and avoid drunk driving which could be determental to your life,” she said.
