With more than 2500 drunk drivers arrested in the first 20 days of December on roads across South Africa, the Arrive Alive website is also receiving advice and recommendations from the public. We would like to share one of the emails received from these visitors:
Contact Page Information from ArriveAlive.co.za
Name: Bakang
Surname:
Country: South Africa
Subject: Drinking and Driving Message:
I was just doing some thinking about the whole campaign of “don’t drink and drive”. I believe that we are not winning on the subject because people only decide to drive (under influence) when they are already drunk, they don’t plan to drive drunk, it’s a spontaneous decision.
To explain further I can give an example: when one goes out to a party or clubbing, he/she goes there sober, and get drunk there then they have to drive back home, this is where we can’t make a difference. I for one would suggest that the campaign include the issue of planning for the drinking, by this I mean people should be encouraged to make transport arrangements while they are sober, before they go partying or clubbing. This way the person plans the transport while they are sober for when they get drunk. An example can be arranging a friend/relative/taxi to drop and collect you, this arrangement should be done before the drinking starts. Drunk people are hard to negotiate with, most will tell you that they are not drunk.
So I strongly advise that we advocate the importance of “pre-planning before indulging”.
These are just my two cents worth words, I hope they will hit a nail somewhere.
Regards,
Bakang