CRA Insurance & Road Accidents Explored
By Motoring Staff
An insurer comments on the new zero tolerance alcohol law to be effective from the 1 July, and how that will impact on your insurance claim if you were driving under the influence.
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Are you fond of having a beer after work and then driving home? You should note that once South Africa’s new drunk-driving laws come into effect this month, you won’t be allowed behind the wheel of a motor vehicle after even one drink.
Currently, it’s still legal to get behind the wheel if your blood-alcohol level is under 0.05g per 100ml. The new National Road Traffic Amendment Act totally prohibits the consumption of alcohol by all motor vehicle operators on South African public roads by setting the legal blood-alcohol limit for drivers at 0%.
Read Related Article: Big Changes For Drivers Planned For South Africa In 2021 – Including Zero Alcohol Limits
NO MORE GREY AREA
This has serious implications for South African drivers. If you’re involved in an accident after having even a single drink, you won’t just find yourself on the wrong side of the law, but it can also have a major impact on your insurance, warns King Price’s customer experience partner, Wynand van Vuuren.
“Insurers have the right to refuse to pay accident claims if the driver’s blood alcohol level is over the legal limit. This clause is included in almost every car insurance policy in SA. Previously, it was difficult to determine whether people were over the legal limit, and whether their driving ability was impaired. The new zero-tolerance approach removes this grey area,” says Van Vuuren.
IF YOU DRINK, THEY WON’T PAY
“If you break the law by driving after drinking, your insurer has no obligation to meet your claim.”
If you’re guilty of this offence, it’s also likely that your premium will increase significantly, as you’ll be considered a higher risk. In the worst-case scenario, if you’re convicted of drink driving or have your licence endorsed or suspended, your current insurer may cancel your policy, and you may find it difficult to get car insurance at all in future.
Image of cars in a road block with a traffic policeman talking to a vehicle driver
LONG TERM BENEFITS
While the new law will potentially reduce the number of accidents caused by drunken driving, it won’t immediately affect premiums, says Van Vuuren: “If we see fewer accidents due to fewer drunken driving incidents in the longer term, though, we may see premiums coming down due to lower claims costs for insurers.”
The new law won’t see existing polices being altered, as most policies already stipulate that drivers must abide by the law. Therefore, the 0% legal blood alcohol limit will apply as soon as the new law comes into effect.
The bottom line? If you’re going to drink, make sure you have alternative transport, says Van Vuuren.
Read Related Article: South Africa’s Updated Driving Laws Are Coming 1 July
Article Credit to IOL Motoring.
What’s your view on the new zero limit alcohol law to me implemented from the 1st of July? Do you think it’s going to make South Africa’s roads safer? Let us know in the comments below. Also, if you found our content informative, do like it and share it with your friends.
Read Also: How To Check If You Have Outstanding Traffic Fines
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