The idea of operating heavy machinery or working in a mine while under the influence of alcohol is considered reckless, and rightly so. The inherent dangers are clear, with lives potentially hanging in the balance. Yet, there is a perplexing disconnect when it comes to driving after consuming alcohol. Many fail to apply the same logic to the road, seemingly oblivious to the fact that a vehicle, in the wrong hands, can be just as lethal as any piece of industrial equipment.
This disparity between perceived workplace risks and the dangers of drunk driving is a critical challenge that must be addressed to reduce the devastating consequences of driving while under the influence. Here, there is an urgent need for South Africans to engage in a fundamental shift in mindset, one that recognises that responsible road use is a shared responsibility, not only an individual choice.
Why the disconnect in workplaces vs. road safety?
Roads are shared spaces, much like workplaces in high-risk industries. A single bad decision – like driving after consuming alcohol – can lead to irreversible harm. Alcohol not only impairs reaction times and decision-making but also creates a false sense of confidence, making drivers dangerously unaware of just how impaired they’ve become. This is further compounded by the fact that many drivers underestimate the impact of even small amounts of alcohol on their abilities, contributing to a culture where driving under the influence is normalised. These false perceptions create a dangerous blind spot, turning vehicles into potential weapons.
Lessons from high-risk industries
The stark contrast between safety practices in high-risk industries and on our roads highlights a perilous gap. In mines, construction sites, and in other hazardous workplaces, strict safety measures, including mandatory breathalyser checks and zero tolerance policies, are non-negotiable. These measures have demonstrably reduced accidents and have saved lives. Why? Because consistent enforcement, coupled with education and awareness campaigns, fosters a culture of accountability. Employees in these industries understand the risks and the consequences, leading to responsible behaviour. This culture of accountability is precisely what’s missing on our roads. The immediacy of the risk in these environments reinforces the need for sobriety, a connection often lost when considering the act of driving.
Applying safety principles to the road
The success of safety education in industries like mining offers valuable lessons for road safety campaigns. These campaigns must move beyond simply stating the dangers of drunk driving and focus on creating a similar culture of responsibility. This means viewing drink-driving not as an issue of law enforcement alone, but as a collective responsibility, where each individual understands their role in ensuring safety.
We need to drive home the message: drinking and driving is a preventable risk. Drunk driving accidents are not just accidents but preventable crashes. If we wouldn’t take these risks on the job, why accept them on the road? The campaigns should emphasise the shared responsibility, highlighting how one person’s decision to drink and drive can have devastating consequences for innocent bystanders, families, and entire communities.
A societal shift through education and accountability
Transforming the ingrained attitudes of South Africans towards drinking and driving demands a fundamental societal shift, beginning with comprehensive and sustained education. We must cultivate a culture of road safety awareness that permeates every level of society, from schools to workplaces and communities. This begins in early childhood, with schools educating children not only about the dangers of alcohol and the importance of responsible decision-making but also about the broader principles of road safety.
This includes understanding the shared responsibility we all have on the road and the potential consequences of even seemingly minor lapses in judgement. Importantly, education should also address the long-term health effects of alcohol consumption, reinforcing the message that responsible behaviour extends beyond immediate driving concerns.
Businesses can take the initiative to promote road safety both internally and externally. Within their own operations, this means implementing comprehensive alcohol policies, including awareness programmes and, where appropriate, regular testing. Extending their commitment to the community, companies can support programmes that equip and train local law enforcement with breathalysers in order to contribute to a safer road environment for everyone.
Picturing the problem – bringing it home
Hard-hitting awareness campaigns that target every level of society and that depict the real-life consequences of drunk driving will be necessary to overcome complacency and prompt public reflection on the problem. One particularly effective tool that can be used in these campaigns is “impairment goggles.” These simulation spectacles convincingly demonstrate the effects of alcohol impairment on vision, depth perception, and reaction time at different Blood
Alcohol Concentration (BAC) levels, providing a visceral understanding of the dangers of driving under the influence. Experiencing this simulated impairment can be a powerful deterrent, especially for younger drivers.
Communities, too, must take ownership of this issue, fostering open conversations about the dangers of drunk driving and supporting initiatives that promote responsible behaviour. This can involve organising community events focused on road safety, working with local pubs and clubs to promote responsible alcohol consumption, and supporting designated driver programmes.
Ultimately, it must filter down to individual responsibility. We all have a role to play. Leading by example, refusing to condone drunk driving, and actively discouraging those who endanger others is necessary. Challenging friends and family who consider driving after drinking, however uncomfortable, will save lives.
Only possible with enforcement, education, and long-term change
We can make responsible road use the norm by sharing the responsibility, but it’s crucial to understand that the likes of education awareness, community involvement, and corporate sponsorship alone are insufficient. Unless consistent alcohol testing is conducted on the road and drunk driving laws are rigorously enforced, all other efforts will be in vain. This includes visible and frequent roadside checks, coupled with swift and appropriate penalties for those caught driving under the influence Just as high-risk industries have successfully reduced accidents through consistent enforcement and education, we can aim to achieve the same result on our roads.
As South Africans, we must collectively recognise that driving a vehicle is a significant responsibility, akin to operating heavy machinery. It’s time to bridge the gap between workplace safety and road safety and extend the same level of accountability and vigilance to every journey by challenging and overcoming ingrained social attitudes. Lives depend on this change in mindset.
By Rhys Evans, MD at ALCO-Safe
2 April 2025
