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Rules of the road · about 4 min read

Rules in detail: alcohol, reckless and inconsiderate driving

The alcohol limits and the standards of care expected of every driver

What you will learn

  • State the blood alcohol limits for ordinary and professional drivers
  • Explain what driving under the influence includes, such as sitting in the driver's seat with the engine running
  • Distinguish inconsiderate driving from reckless or negligent driving

Inconsiderate driving

What the rule says. No person may drive a vehicle on a public road without reasonable consideration for any other person using the road. This covers every other road user: drivers, riders, pedestrians and anyone else on the road.

Why it matters. The road is shared, so each driver must take the others into account.

In practice. Driving fast through a puddle and splashing people on the sidewalk, or ignoring others who need space, shows a lack of reasonable consideration. Slow down, give people room and think about how your driving affects them.

Key idea: Always drive with reasonable consideration for everyone else using the road.

Reckless or negligent driving

What the rule says. No person may drive a vehicle on a public road recklessly or negligently, or in a manner that wilfully disregards the safety of persons or property. The rule protects both people and property.

Why it matters. Reckless or negligent driving puts lives and goods at risk, and wilful disregard shows the driver does not care about the harm.

In practice. Deliberately racing through a busy street, or driving in a way that you know could hurt people or damage property, is a breach. Careful, considerate driving keeps you on the right side of the rule.

Key idea: Do not drive recklessly or negligently, or wilfully disregard the safety of people or property.

Blood alcohol limits

What the rule says. No person may drive a motor vehicle on a public road while the concentration of alcohol in his or her body is 0,05 grams per 100 millilitres of blood or more. For a professional driver the limit is lower: 0,02 grams per 100 millilitres of blood or more. The offence begins at the figure itself, so exactly 0,05 grams (or 0,02 for a professional driver) is already over the limit.

Why it matters. Alcohol slows reactions and judgement, so a lower limit applies to people who drive for a living.

In practice. A professional driver with 0,03 grams per 100 millilitres is over the limit, while an ordinary driver at 0,03 is below the figure in the manual.

Key idea: Ordinary drivers: 0,05 grams per 100 millilitres or more is an offence; professional drivers: 0,02 or more.

Under the influence of liquor or drugs

What the rule says. No person may drive a vehicle on a public road while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a drug having a narcotic effect. No person may occupy the driver's or rider's seat of a motor vehicle whose engine is running while under that influence. This applies to anyone driving on a public road, including motorcycle riders.

Why it matters. Sitting at the controls with the engine running is treated seriously because the vehicle could move.

In practice. Do not wait in the driver's seat with the engine running to sleep it off after drinking. Hand over the keys, or use someone else to drive.

Key idea: Do not drive, or sit in the driver's seat with the engine running, while under the influence of liquor or a narcotic drug.

No intoxicants after an accident

What the rule says. A driver or rider involved in an accident may not take any intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs before he or she has reported the accident. The only exception is where a medical practitioner instructs it.

Why it matters. Drinking after a crash would make it impossible to tell whether the driver was affected when the accident happened.

In practice. Even if you are shaken after a collision, do not have a drink to calm your nerves. Report the accident first. If a doctor instructs you to take a medicine, that is the one exception the manual allows.

Key idea: After an accident, take no liquor or narcotic drugs until you have reported it, unless a doctor instructs you to.

A drink after a function

After a family function in Polokwane you have had drinks and offer to drive a relative home. You drive a delivery truck for a living, and you feel fine.

  1. Remember that a professional driver's limit is 0,02 grams per 100 millilitres of blood, and any figure at or above it is an offence.
  2. Do not drive, and do not sit in the driver's seat with the engine running while under the influence.
  3. Arrange for a sober person to drive, and drive with reasonable consideration and care another day.

Quick recap

  • Drive with reasonable consideration for every other person using the road
  • Reckless or negligent driving, or wilfully disregarding the safety of persons or property, is prohibited
  • Ordinary drivers: 0,05 grams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood or more is an offence
  • Professional drivers: 0,02 grams per 100 millilitres of blood or more is an offence
  • Do not occupy the driver's or rider's seat of a vehicle with the engine running while under the influence
  • After an accident, take no liquor or narcotic drugs before reporting it, unless a medical practitioner instructs you

Practice questions on rules in detail: alcohol, reckless and inconsiderate driving

1 What is the first thing you must do if you are involved in an accident?

  1. Call the owner
  2. Check your insurance
  3. Stop immediately
Show the answer

Answer C: Stop immediately

A driver involved in an accident must immediately stop the vehicle.

Memory tip: Stop first.

All vehicle codes

2 After stopping at an accident, what must you establish about people?

  1. Who was at fault
  2. The nature and extent of any injuries
  3. Their names
Show the answer

Answer B: The nature and extent of any injuries

The driver must ascertain the nature and extent of any injuries.

Memory tip: Check injuries.

All vehicle codes

3 What help must you give to an injured person?

  1. None, wait for police
  2. Whatever assistance you are capable of rendering
  3. Move them from the road
Show the answer

Answer B: Whatever assistance you are capable of rendering

The driver must render such assistance as he or she is capable of rendering.

Memory tip: Help as you can.

All vehicle codes

4 What must you do about damage after an accident?

  1. Ignore minor damage
  2. Ascertain the nature and extent of any damage
  3. Repair it immediately
Show the answer

Answer B: Ascertain the nature and extent of any damage

The driver must ascertain the nature and extent of any damage.

Memory tip: Check the damage.

All vehicle codes

More rules of the road chapters

Sources: NaTIS Rules of the Road, June 2012, sections 6.63, 6.64, 6.65, 6.62 (every figure and exception taught here is stated there); The 2012 text has drafting errors; passages that were unclear were left out. Current-law review is still outstanding..

AceK53 is an independent study aid based on public road traffic manuals and is not an official test. Always confirm requirements with your driving licence testing centre.