The survey, based on data from mortuaries throughout the country, shows 50.1% of people who died in road accidents were three times over the legal alcohol limit, and 59.8% of all pedestrians who died were four to five times over the legal limit.
This limit is a blood-alcohol content of more than 0.05g per 100ml, or a breath-alcohol content of more than 0.24mg per 1000ml. Generally this means that two drinks in one hour will put you over the limit.
Drivers transporting passengers face a tougher limit of 0.02g per 100ml in a blood test and 0.1mg per 1000ml when breathalysed.
Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi said three years ago the government spent an estimated R17bn on payments as a result of alcohol abuse.
One of South Africa's leading authorities on alcohol abuse, Charles Parry of the Medical Research Council, found that:
Statistics released by the Road Traffic Management Corporation showed that by 31 December 1,184 people had been killed in 987 road accidents in December. At least half of those killed had blood alcohol levels that were over the legal limit.
KwaZulu-Natal had 205 accidents while Gauteng had 156 and the Eastern Cape 136.
The death toll on South African roads during the festive season are due to be released on Tuesday (7 January).
Source: Sunday Times via I-Net Bridge
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