MOTORING NEWS - The start of the festive season often means with an uptick in driving under the influence (DUI). Matric vacations, end-of-year functions and a general tendency to drink more over the Festive Season results in tragic consequences for all road users.
The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says collective commitment is needed to change the DUI stats from previous years.
“During the 2024/2025 Festive Season, 9 984 people were arrested for drinking and driving. The fatality rate from crashes involving alcohol is also concerning – an average of 58% of road fatalities involve alcohol.
“This is one of the highest averages globally. To place this in context, 28% of crashes in USA involve alcohol, 18% in Australia, 13% in the UK while only 9% of crashes in Germany involve alcohol,” says Herbert.
Deaths due to DUI are preventable, and everyone has a role to play. For each high-risk scenario below, implementation of early intervention measures addresses problematic drinking before it becomes life-threatening.
- Matric vacation
Prevention starts when teenagers are children by modelling responsible behaviour and ensuring your teen understands the dangers of drinking and driving. “If your teenager will be driving to a Matric vacation, further stress the importance of avoiding drink driving.
“Make sure they have alternatives to get home safely whether they plan to drink or not. Discuss specific scenarios: what will they do if the designated driver drinks? Who can they call if they need help getting home? Encourage them to establish a group agreement before leaving, where friends hold each other accountable.”
Ensure your teen knows they can call you for a ride home - no matter the scenario - rather than get in a car with an impaired driver. “Open, honest conversations about drink driving can equip them to make safe choices when it matters most,” says Herbert.
- End-of-year functions
Ideally, corporate events should avoid serving alcohol. “If alcohol is available, the responsibility is on the organisation to ensure that employees get home safely with the many options available today, whether ridesharing or shuttle services. Limit the duration of alcohol service. Watch for signs of intoxication and intervene when necessary. Leadership should model responsible consumption as well.
“Clearly communicate alcohol policies before the event. Create a culture where you look out for employees to prevent tragedy and make employee safety a top priority,” says Herbert.
- Personal decisions
Most importantly is committing to hold both ourselves and others accountable. “Commit to not drink and drive and should others do so, help them find safer alternatives. Ultimately, the choice is ours alone and one that cannot be compromised.
“If drinking, don't drive. This extends to refusing to be a passenger with an impaired driver, even if it means confronting a friend. Doing otherwise, is making a choice that could alter or end lives,” says Herbert.
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