Will raising the legal drinking age lower the road death toll?
Drinking and driving is one of the biggest threats on our roads today and there are various companies and campaigns that are striving to keep the road death toll down. But will the new potential drinking age limit really help curb drunken driving related accidents?
Parliament is looking to set the new legal drinking age to 21 following a revised National Liquor Policy which was handed to cabinet as Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies highlighted proposals to amend the Liquor Act last week.
According to IOL news, Caro Smit, founder of South Africans Against Drunk Driving, has given a big thumbs up to the proposed changes.
“We think it’s a very good idea. It could save thousands of lives a year. There is also a problem with binge drinking in that age group which is very harmful,” said Smit.
However one of the matric rage organisers for a town in South Africa has expressed opposing thoughts towards the idea, saying that the move would only breed a whole new underworld of bootleggers.
A spokesperson for Netcare 911 stated that despite a significant surge in alcohol-related accidents during last year’s matric rage, most of the drivers involved were over the age of 21. But a large portion of matrics only obtain their driving licence and/or vehicle post matric rage and it’s worth considering the influence that older drivers are having on them.
Do you think a raise in the legal drinking age could help curb drunken-driving related accidents? Send us your thoughts to: [email protected]
Also read: This ad will make you think twice before drinking and driving