Legislation that will criminalise driving with even a trace of alcohol in the bloodstream is expected to put further strain on South Africa’s hospitality industry, which has already been brought to its knees during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The National Road Traffic Amendment Bill was approved by Cabinet in March and proposes that no person may drive a vehicle while there is any concentration of alcohol in their bloodstream. At the moment, South African law allows for no more than 0.05g of alcohol per 100ml.
The Automobile Association said last week that changing the law was meaningless and would be ineffective if the current laws regulating alcohol and driving were not properly implemented and enforced first. The AA has proposed that the 0.05% limit be reduced to 0.02%, which is in place in many countries.
One hotelier, who spoke to Tourism Update anonymously said the impact on hotels and restaurants would be “devastating”.
Hospitality Consultant Neil Bald says while it is difficult to quantify the cost, the legislation could negatively affect business. “It’s another blow for the hospitality industry,” he says, adding that hospitality, events and restaurants are already taking strain.
He emphasises that criticism of the legislation should not be viewed as encouraging people to drink and drive. “The hospitality industry is in favour of controlling and managing liquor, but it needs to be done in a way that is cognisant of the consequences.
“Applying a 0% limit doesn’t allow for any tolerance,” he says. Moreover, he questions how effectively a zero limit could be policed, when the current limit is not effectively policed. “We would encourage consultation with the industry so as to reach a win-win situation.”
“This is about criminalising the people who don’t drive under the influence. People who comply with current limits are not causing accidents due to being under the influence of alcohol. The department has gone mad,” said David Marsh, Founder of the Travel Industry Golf Club. “This is not about supporting drunken driving. It is the opposite – why now focus on the people who comply with the limit? They are the only ones affected by the legislation.”
“The number of jobs that will be lost is going to be significant. Many people will either not attend an event because of the cost of getting there and back, or will not even have one drink. Either way, clubs, restaurants, hotels, meeting and wedding venues and car hire can expect to shrink. Most people find golf frustrating but continue to play each week because of the social aspect and most respect the law. Few can afford to hail an Uber both ways each time they play. This will be a body blow to many sectors, other than police who look for bribes. Yet members of associations remain silent,” laments Marsh.
Ayanda Allie-Paine, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport, told Tourism Update that the proposal was not new and was introduced before Mbalula’s tenure. She added that while the Minister expressed a hope last week that the amendments would come into effect by December, he did not have authority over parliament’s processes.
Allie-Paine says the amendments are still open to public comment and parliament will follow its usual processes of public consultation, be this through virtual or in-person stakeholder consultation.
