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Alcohol testing centre open in Randburg

In Randburg last month, an Alcohol Testing Centre, sponsored by the South African Insurance Association (SAIA) was unveiled through the joint efforts of the SAIA, Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA) and the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD).

Ronnie Napier, chairperson of SAIA, said, “Road safety initiatives are being implemented by the SAIA in an attempt to curb the high accident rate in South Africa, and to thereby ensure that motor insurance remains affordable. Motor insurance, our largest class of business, is under considerable pressure with around 70% of insurance claims being road accident-related and alcohol consumption is a factor in many of these instances.”

“Given the strong results that the first alcohol testing centre in Village Road Johannesburg has shown, we are hopeful that this centre will help to curb a general sense of lawlessness on South African roads. We are grateful for the support from SAIA and believe that this partnership will assist the law enforcement agencies to promote a zero-tolerance for incidents of drunk driving or driving under the influence,” says Siphiwe Nzimande, deputy chairperson of BACSA.

Napier shared a number of chilling statistics from Arrive Alive which highlight the extent of lawlessness on South African roads, “On average, 36 lives are lost every day due to road accidents. This accounts for approximately 13 000 people being killed needlessly on our roads every year. The costs of road accidents to individuals, commerce, and communities is approximately R38 billion per annum,” says Napier.

“With the Alcohol Testing Centre now operational in Randburg, this initiative will help to send the message that drunken driving or driving under the influence is a serious offence, which endangers the lives of others. Drivers will be forced to comply, through the centre and the work of the JMPD, with the rules of the road. This partnership seeks to stop the needless loss of life due to drunken driving and to change a reckless road culture. More of these centres are needed throughout the country,” says Lorinda Nel, BACSA project manager.

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