A law which policy experts say could turn the tide in our booze battle has been stalled for four years
A study by Wits and KwaZulu-Natal universities shows there was a 60% to 70% dip in trauma admissions when liquor was banned at the start of the hard lockdown.Alcohol’s deadly hand in road crashes and violent attacks – thrust to the fore after booze was unbanned two weeks ago – has led to renewed calls for stringent liquor regulations to save lives.
This week, transport minister Fikile Mbalula called again for “stronger regulations” after three policemen were killed by a suspected drunk driver. The DTI’s Sidwell Medupi said gaps and challenges in the regulatory environment were being “carefully assessed”.We need to look at the trauma, both emotionally and economically, that death or severe injury causes a family, and also the re-traumatisation that occurs when there is not a conviction for killing or injuring one’s loved one.According to World Health Organisation data from 2016, SA ranks fifth in terms of per capita alcohol consumption.
The policy has three objectives: banning or severely limiting alcohol advertising, reducing the availability of alcohol, and increasing pricing through excise. A study conducted by the South African Medical Research Council in June, Road Traffic Management Corporation data and other research nationally, driver alcohol intoxication is believed to account for 27.1% of fatal crashes in the country, with an associated estimated cost of R18.2bn.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The divide between school soccer and school rugby, cricket in SA | SportFormer Bafana Bafana captain Neil Tovey, current director of football at Grey College Ricardo Katza, and SAFA Head of Schools Football Mzimkhulu Fina share their views on improving school football in South Africa | Sport24news
Read more »
Reprimanded Crookes returns to Tennis SA board as Ravele opts for disciplinary processTennis SA (TSA) president Gavin Crookes has returned to his post after accepting a letter of reprimand following the debacle with board member Ntambi Ravele.
Read more »
Cape Town virtual race attracts cream of SA road runners | CitypressComrades Marathon stars Edward Mothibi, Bongmusa Mthembu, Stephen Mokoka, Charne Bosman, twins Lebo and Lebogang Phalula make up the 20 elite invitational runners who will line up in the 42km contest - all from different locations
Read more »
Despite Covid-19 threat, calls mount for international borders to reopen in SACalls are mounting for the South African government to reopen the country’s international borders after more than R68bn has been lost since the start of the lockdown. | SaturdayStar
Read more »
Onward as SA cinemas reopen – what it feels like to be back at the movies | ChannelChannel24's Thinus Ferreira recently took a trip to the cinema to see what's changed after all these months.
Read more »
Botswana accuses SA of withholding evidence in Bridgette Motsepe-Radebe caseProsecutors say they need the evidence to prosecute a money laundering case that implicates the SA mining magnate and former president Ian Khama
Read more »