Bail Lawyer Cape Town
Bail Lawyer More Information
Bail Lawyer Cape Town
Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
B.Bus.Sci (UCT), LLB (UCT), PDLP (UCT)

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    Drunk Driving Attorney

    Drunk Driving Attorney Cape Town

    Drunk-driving, drinking and driving, DUI, or Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – whatever the term, being in control of a vehicle on our roads, after drinking more than a certain amount of alcohol, is illegal in South Africa. If apprehended, this can lead to your arrest and you will be required to post bail. In this case, you may choose to seek the legal assistance of a drunk-driving attorney.

    Driving after a few drinks is common practice in South Africa but an alarming rise in the number of deaths caused by drunk-driving annually in Cape Town is generating a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to DUI offenders.

    We have begun to adopt safe practices seen elsewhere in the world with local ‘you drink, we drive’ services but, unfortunately, South Africans still choose to drive while under the influence.

    What is DUI?

    • DUI, or driving under the influence, means that you are in control of a mode of transport on a public road with blood levels exceeding the legal alcohol limit.
    • The law describes a ‘mode of transport’ as a vehicle and this includes bicycles, forklifts and mule carts!

    What is the legal alcohol limit?

    • The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05g per 100ml
    • The breath alcohol content limit is 0.24mg per 1000ml

    How much is too much?

    • Two beers, or a double tot, is enough to push you over the limit. You may not think, or feel, that you are driving drunk but, legally, you would be considered to be driving under the influence.

    What are the legal consequences of driving drunk?

    If you are stopped at a roadblock while driving under the influence of alcohol and it is determined that your blood levels are over the legal limit, you can expect any or all of the following:

    • You will be arrested and charged
    • You will be kept in custody until you can post bail
    • Posting bail is best facilitated by a drunk driving attorney or bail lawyer
    • You will face a fine of up to R2 000 or a two-year prison sentence, or both, depending on:
      • Previous convictions against you
      • Extenuating circumstances surrounding your arrest
    • You may lose your driver’s licence or have it suspended
      • First-time offenders – suspension for at least six months
      • Second-time offenders – suspension for five years
      • Third-time offenders – suspension for at least 10 years