K53 Learners Alcohol, Drugs and Fatigue 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the legal breath alcohol limit (in milligrams per 1 000 millilitres of breath) for an ordinary driver in South Africa?
- 0.10 mg per 1 000 ml
- 0.50 mg per 1 000 ml
- 0.24 mg per 1 000 ml (Correct answer)
- 0.35 mg per 1 000 ml
Correct answer: 0.24 mg per 1 000 ml
The legal breath alcohol limit for ordinary drivers is 0.24mg per 1 000ml of breath, equivalent to the 0.05g/100ml blood limit.
Question 2: If a traffic officer suspects you of drunk driving, which tests may legally be conducted?
- Only a field sobriety walk-and-turn test
- A breath test, and if necessary a blood test (Correct answer)
- Only a blood test at a hospital
- A urine test only
Correct answer: A breath test, and if necessary a blood test
Under the National Road Traffic Act, an officer may conduct a breath test roadside and, if needed, require a blood test to confirm the result.
Question 3: Driving under the influence of alcohol in South Africa is classified as:
- A minor traffic infringement
- A criminal offence (Correct answer)
- Only an offence if an accident occurs
- A civil matter between the driver and insurer
Correct answer: A criminal offence
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a criminal offence under the National Road Traffic Act and can result in criminal prosecution.
Question 4: Which time of day is driver fatigue considered most dangerous?
- Mid-morning between 10:00 and 12:00
- Early afternoon and late at night / early morning hours (Correct answer)
- Rush hour between 07:00 and 09:00
- Sunset only
Correct answer: Early afternoon and late at night / early morning hours
Fatigue-related crashes peak in the early afternoon (post-lunch dip) and between midnight and 06:00, when the body's natural sleep pressure is highest.
Question 5: You consumed alcohol the night before. You wake up early the next morning. Can you assume it is safe to drive?
- Yes, sleeping always removes all alcohol from your body
- No, alcohol may still be in your system and you could still be over the legal limit (Correct answer)
- Yes, if you feel fine you are safe to drive
- Yes, as long as more than 4 hours have passed
Correct answer: No, alcohol may still be in your system and you could still be over the legal limit
The body eliminates alcohol at roughly 0.015g/100ml per hour; depending on how much was consumed, significant alcohol can remain in your system the next morning.
Question 6: What is the danger of combining alcohol with prescription tranquilisers or sleeping pills and then driving?
- The combination neutralises both effects
- The combined effect is far more impairing than either substance alone (Correct answer)
- It is safe if only a small amount of alcohol is consumed
- It only affects driving if taken within 30 minutes of driving
Correct answer: The combined effect is far more impairing than either substance alone
Alcohol combined with sedative medications has a synergistic (multiplied) effect, causing much greater impairment than either substance by itself.
Question 7: What is the minimum penalty a court may impose for a first-time conviction of drunk driving in South Africa?
- A written warning only
- A fine or imprisonment, and possible cancellation of licence (Correct answer)
- Community service only
- Suspension of driving licence for one week
Correct answer: A fine or imprisonment, and possible cancellation of licence
A conviction for DUI carries penalties including a fine and/or imprisonment of up to 6 years, and the court may cancel or suspend the offender's driving licence.
K53 Learners Alcohol, Drugs and Fatigue 2
What is the legal breath alcohol limit (in milligrams per 1 000 millilitres of breath) for an ordinary driver in South Africa?