One for the ditch
- By Special Correspondent
- Published 03/16/2010
- Safer driving
- Unrated
With the recent spate of high profile drunk drivers, it's time to put
the facts on the table regarding drunk driving.
Between the local cases and the recent one in Britain, where the rugby legend JPR Williams tried to get away with drink driving by putting a coin under his tongue, two questions are raised.
Firstly, why do people get behind the wheel under the illusion they are fit to drive, and risk people's lives? Second, what are these urban myths and do they have any scientific basis to work?
Only time will rid your body of alcohol. Caffeine in coffee cannot keep you alert and restore judgment.
2. Bigger people can handle their alcohol better.
It is true that body size can affect in the rate alcohol is absorbed, but you must also consider individual metabolism, the amount of rest you had and when you last ate.
3. Put a piece of metal in your mouth, suck a copper coin.
This one has shot up the charts recently,
thanks to the publicity given to a sporting legend trying to alter the
result of a roadside breath test. As he found out, it doesn't work...
4. Hold your breath before the test.
This will actually have the opposite effect and make your breath reading falsely high! This is because the concentration of alcohol in the air in the lungs will become higher because the air is not passing through them, but you blood will continue to flow round.
5. Hyper ventilate before the test.
This will have the effect of lowering your breath sample, but the Police are wise to it - that's why they'll talk to you for a few minutes before the test to make sure you haven't got the chance to do this.
6. Spray fresh breath spray into your mouth before the test.
Most fresh breath sprays have a very high concentration of mint, which can fool the breathalyser into reading higher!
7. Burp it out .
This causes the liquids and/or gases from the stomach - including any alcohol - to rise up into the soft tissue of the esophagus and oral cavity, where it will stay until it has dissipated. Again, this one's more likely to put you behind bars of the metal variety!
8. Drink lots of water.
A breathalyser measures the content of alcohol in the air in your lungs and contrary to popular belief has nothing to do with your stomach or urine. Leave this one to help with the hangover.
Remember, "If you are involved in a crash while you are under the influence, it will impact on your insurance payouts. Because you have committed an illegal act by driving under the influence, short-term insurers, life insurers and the Road Accident Fund can refuse to pay out claims," Gary Ronal of the AASA reminds us.
Stats reveal that:
Between the local cases and the recent one in Britain, where the rugby legend JPR Williams tried to get away with drink driving by putting a coin under his tongue, two questions are raised.
Firstly, why do people get behind the wheel under the illusion they are fit to drive, and risk people's lives? Second, what are these urban myths and do they have any scientific basis to work?
Here's a look at some the most common urban myths, and we'll give you the facts.
1. Strong coffee will keep me alert, sober me up.Only time will rid your body of alcohol. Caffeine in coffee cannot keep you alert and restore judgment.
2. Bigger people can handle their alcohol better.
It is true that body size can affect in the rate alcohol is absorbed, but you must also consider individual metabolism, the amount of rest you had and when you last ate.
3. Put a piece of metal in your mouth, suck a copper coin.
This one has shot up the charts recently,
   
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4. Hold your breath before the test.
This will actually have the opposite effect and make your breath reading falsely high! This is because the concentration of alcohol in the air in the lungs will become higher because the air is not passing through them, but you blood will continue to flow round.
5. Hyper ventilate before the test.
This will have the effect of lowering your breath sample, but the Police are wise to it - that's why they'll talk to you for a few minutes before the test to make sure you haven't got the chance to do this.
6. Spray fresh breath spray into your mouth before the test.
Most fresh breath sprays have a very high concentration of mint, which can fool the breathalyser into reading higher!
7. Burp it out .
This causes the liquids and/or gases from the stomach - including any alcohol - to rise up into the soft tissue of the esophagus and oral cavity, where it will stay until it has dissipated. Again, this one's more likely to put you behind bars of the metal variety!
8. Drink lots of water.
A breathalyser measures the content of alcohol in the air in your lungs and contrary to popular belief has nothing to do with your stomach or urine. Leave this one to help with the hangover.
Remember, "If you are involved in a crash while you are under the influence, it will impact on your insurance payouts. Because you have committed an illegal act by driving under the influence, short-term insurers, life insurers and the Road Accident Fund can refuse to pay out claims," Gary Ronal of the AASA reminds us.
The alcohol fact sheet
- It is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
- The maximum blood alcohol limit is 0.05mg per 100ml blood or 0.24 milligram per 1 000 milliliter of breath.
- Because the printout of a breathalyser is admissible as evidence in court, drivers can be tried within hours, as there are no court delays waiting for the result of blood tests.
- If you are apprehended and found to be over the legal limit, you do not have an option of paying a fine. You will be arrested and taken to a police station, where you will be booked and locked up in a police holding cell with other criminals. You will only be charged when you are sober.
- The maximum punishment for drinking and driving is R120 000 and/or 6 years imprisonment.
- You will get a criminal record, which will count against you for the rest of your life. Your driving license can also be suspended.
Stats reveal that:
- One in every fifteen drivers on the road in the evenings is over the limit
- More than half of all pedestrians killed last year had been drinking
- Morning rush hour bumper bashings are likely as a result of the previous nights' drinking
- The cost of crashes to the economy in 2007 has been calculated at R52 billion
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