Drunk driving should be declared a national disaster so that the government takes firm and swift action against those who drive under the influence of alcohol.

The call was made by road safety advocacy group, South Africans Against Drunk Driving (SADD) ahead of the holiday season traffic rush expected to start this weekend. SADD said that this would also bring down the high number of road accident fatalities which usually spiked around this period.

SADD founder, Caro Smith, cited figures that indicated that South Africa had an average of 55 road deaths each day, which included children.

“The stats show that three children are killed on the road each day which is about 90 children’s lives lost each month on the country’s roads. That is enough to declare this a disaster, and the unfortunate part of it, is that it’s all avoidable if there is enforcement from the authorities and obedience from motorists,” said Smit.

She was pessimistic that the number of road fatalities would decrease this festive season, blaming it on what she labelled as the ‘wrong approach’ from the government on enforcing road safety rules.

“I would give government a 2/10 rating at the moment owing to the failure to enforce the law. I have been a driver for 15 years and not once have I ever been stopped for a breathalyser test. Irresponsible driving behaviour is consistent throughout the year and should be met with the same from government. That means each of the 52 weeks in the year should see tough enforcement,” Smit said.

She insisted that swift arrests and prosecutions would be a sufficient impediment against drunken driving and the failure of motorists to wear seatbelts. “If people know about the financial implications and the prospect of spending time behind bars, then there is likely to be a change in attitudes,” she stressed.

Looking into the future though, the SADD founder was optimistic about the recent initiative that involved road safety advocacy groups and the Road Traffic Management Council, but pointed out that the results were only likely to be visible next year. She added that the warm reception from Transport Minister Barbara Creecy was equally encouraging.

Smit who is an Alcohol and Drug Educator and Counsellor, and Psychiatric Social Worker, founded SADD after her 23-year old son Chas, was killed in September 2005, by a driver who had been drinking.

DG Murray Project Lead for the Alcohol Harms Reduction campaign Zimasa Mpemnyama conceded that it was difficult to fight against alcohol abuse, but stressed that this would not tire them from calling for harsher penalties from lawmakers to stop the scourge of driving under the influence.

Mpemnyama noted how alcohol was associated with a level of masculinity and sophistication, adding that this made the fight against alcohol abuse even tougher.

The campaign leader singled out binge drinking as a massive challenge, noting how it had found its way into all parts of South African society. “Those who drink constitute a small part of the population, however the quantities of alcohol that they consume is quite scary and simply underlines how much of a problem binge drinking is in our country,” Mpemnyama said.

She cited Botswana as an example of what happens in the country once the government gets tough on alcohol abuse through the introduction of stricter laws including shorter trading hours and the raising of sin tax.

“We know that banning trading would never work as we saw what happened during Covid-19 when people found alternatives. So our call is for the introduction and enforcement of stricter trading laws, especially when it comes to vulnerable groups like young people and pregnant women,” Mpemnyama said.

She appealed to lawmakers to consider the negative impact of drinking and driving, singling out the healthcare system which she said was overstretched because of accidents caused by drunk drivers. “There is a need for a more intentional intervention from lawmakers varying from strict trading conditions, and taxation,” she stressed. Mpemnyama conceded that the calls and effort for stricter trading was met by a push back from the liquor industry which had embedded itself in the country’s social order. She singled out cultural activities including sports as examples of how the industry had managed to make drinking a generally acceptable habit.

This weekend is set to be even busier for law enforcers in the city as the uMkhonto weSizwe Party will be holding its one-year celebration rally at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday where founder President Zuma is expected to give the keynote address.