Insurance deals with consequences every day, and few decisions carry consequences as quickly and as brutally as getting behind the wheel after drinking. What may feel like a harmless social choice can, in a matter of seconds, turn into a criminal case, a rejected claim, financial loss and a lifetime of regret. As South Africans prepare for busy travel periods, the message remains simple: if you drink, don’t drive.
As he walked out of the convenience store with a bottle of wine in each hand, I heard him say to his friend carrying the six-pack: “Bro, tonight we’re gonna go big; Stilbaai here we come!” Two giggling girls were waiting in the car, both chugging down boutique beers. The last I heard was the popping sound when the guys got in the double cab. Who knows what that night held in store for those youngsters, but Still Bay was a three-and-a-half-hour drive away, and these 20-year-olds were clearly
in party mode…
What often begins as a relaxed social occasion can carry unintended consequences when alcohol and driving are combined. The importance of making responsible choices behind the wheel and the legal, financial and personal implications of driving under the influence in South Africa cannot be overlooked. As busy travel periods like Easter approach, it offers a timely reminder that small,
mindful decisions can go a long way in keeping roads safer for everyone.
Nearly 58% of all road deaths in South Africa involve alcohol. That’s according to Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) but other sources believe this figure may be as high as 65%. Easter weekend is a well-known culprit and despite all the warnings and best efforts of our authorities, this festive break takes its toll. Nearly 950 South Africans ended up behind bars for drunk driving during the 2025 Easter period. It may not sound like a lot but for many of those who were criminally charged, life will never be the same.
Big mistake to think your insurance will kick in automatically. Everything changes when alcohol or illegal substances are involved in an accident. And when someone’s DUI (driving under the influence) causes injury or death, one massive financial and emotional hangover is the result. Debt, the cost of replacing what was lost and legal fees will be in your rear-view mirror for a very long time. Court appearances, the possibility of a criminal record, raised eyebrows at work and shame, regret and anxiety becoming your constant companions. And prepare yourself for a long, stretched-out encounter with the law, your broker and insurance company. Many cases drag out on for months on end so say goodbye to a good night’s sleep. Not to mention future insurability. A person found guilty of a DUI is viewed differently by insurers and that could mean stricter terms, higher premiums and excesses or difficulty getting cover at all. The memorandum is very clear: an insurer does not need proof beyond reasonable doubt in a civil insurance matter.
A DUI charge or conviction does not just sit in a police file – it can follow a person into every future
insurance discussion.
The South African government is working towards a zero tolerance policy when it comes to driving which would change the legal limit to zero alcohol. For now, a blood alcohol concentration of less than 0.05 per a 100ml for private drivers is enforced. Roughly, two glasses of wine within two hours, depending on your weight.
Tiger Woods’s mugshot is all over social media at the moment. The golf legend is again facing prosecution for a DUI although this time his alleged impairment may be due to substances other than alcohol. The 15-time major champion may have walked away unhurt when his vehicle rolled after clipping a truck in Florida, but his future participation in golf tournaments is now in serious jeopardy. According to reports Woods refused to take a urine test on the scene which leads me to the following: It is critical to be forthright and open at a DUI arrest. Once a person starts minimising, omitting or adjusting the story, a bad position is being made worse. Credibility matters!
Consequences of Exceeding the Limit:
- Arrest: Immediate detention is possible.
- Criminal Record: Conviction leads to a criminal record.
- Fines/Prison: Minimum fines of R2,000 or a potential two-year prison sentence.
- License: Suspension or loss of driver's license.
- Insurance: Your insurance policy will not pay out for any damages. Whether your own or that of the other party.
- Cumulative financial ruin: Job loss due to criminal record and no insurance payout
In the majority of cases these stories do not begin with chaos or drama. They begin quietly - with a good Boland Rosé over lunch, spilling into another few drinks over supper. And before you know it, even with the best of intentions to make it home safely, your lack of coordination or slow reaction time, can claim a life.
Driving under the influence is not a private mistake with a simple insurance fix. It becomes a criminal matter, a rejected claim, a debt problem, family trauma and a reputational wound – all at once. Easter weekend is a time for renewal and restored hope but one reckless decision made in a moment of carelessness has the power to shatter families and futures. So the message remains clear: if you drink, don’t drive because some consequences cannot be undone.
As for the youngsters who were on their way to Still Bay: I hope you’ve arrived safely.
BIO: Christelle Colman is the founder and CEO of Ami Underwriting Managers (Pty) Ltd. Ami is an underwriting agency for Lombard Insurance Co, dedicated to providing bespoke insurance products in the personal lines space to our chosen market segments, namely affluent and the high net-worth, wealth market. www.ami.co.za.