At Eden Recovery Centre, we know that the holidays and long weekends see some of the most tragic road accidents, with families being injured and losing members due to drinking and driving related incidents.
With upstarts like Uber challenging the conventional taxi industry by offering cheaper fares, and many companies offering drive-me-home services, getting behind the wheel and drinking and driving should not be an option.
But what about those that suffer from addiction? We at Eden Recovery have come to realise that alcoholics tend to lack judgement and make decisions that can impact themselves and others on the road. That’s why seeking help for an alcohol problem is not just advantageous to your health but to the lives of others as well.
So what happens if you get caught drinking and driving?
- You will be arrested for being over the limit
Arrive Alive states that the legal alcohol limit of 0,05g/100ml is exceeded after just two standard beers. If you are suspected of driving over the limit, you will be Breathalysed.
- Your blood will be taken
If the Breathalyser tests positive, you will be taken into custody and sent for further testing at an alcohol testing centre.
A registered nurse will take a blood sample from you. The sample will be securely stored and transported by the police to a laboratory.
- You will be detained
Once you have been arrested you will be taken to a police station, where you will be detained in the holding cells for at least four hours to sober up.
The JMPD’s spokesman, Wayne Minnaar says that on busy nights, like on weekends, it could be longer before you are processed and released.
A docket will be opened and you will be allocated an investigating officer who will follow up your blood test results.
Now would be a good time to alert family or friends to your arrest, if you haven’t done so already. If you do not have a phone, you will be permitted to use one at the station.
- Bail
The bail amount for driving under the influence varies depending on the jurisdiction of the police station, says Mamonyane, but most require R500.
- Your car will not be impounded
If you have been arrested for drinking and driving, your car will be taken to the police station. Your keys will be held and returned to you once you have been processed and paid bail.
“Being a very irresponsible adult”
If you have been arrested with children in the car, Mamonyane says most officers try to protect the minors from experiencing the ordeal, “so as to not expose them to the trauma of witnessing the arrest”.
Don’t make decisions that will impact the rest of your life.
If you feel like your, or the drinking of a loved one, is out of control, and are making decisions that are affecting your safety and that of others on the road, contact Eden Recovery Centre. It takes one bad decision to alter the events of the rest of your life. Guilt is not something you want to live with for the rest of your life.
We are here to assist you and help you break free from the chains of addiction.
You can depend on full discretion.