A third of South Africa’s metropolitan motorists drive drunk, TNS Research Surveys has found.
The survey polled 2 000 adults in seven metropolitan areas as part of the company’s series of studies on issues of general social and political interest, it said in a statement.
It said the study asked adults whether, in the past six months, they had driven a vehicle having drunk more alcohol than they should have.
In all, 16% said they had — 18% of them black South Africans, 14% white South Africans, 13% coloured South Africans and 8% Indians/Asians; 82% said they had not and 2% did not know.
”This [16%] translates to about 1,9-million people out of the total metro population of about 12-million,” TNS said.
”It is very roughly estimated that there are about eight million licensed drivers in South Africa, of which probably about six million are in metropolitan areas.
”This means that an astounding one-third of metro drivers have driven a vehicle in the last six months, having knowingly had more alcohol than they should.”
TNS said the study found there was little gender variation of those who drove drunk.
White females at 10%, and Indian females at 7%, had the lowest figures. ”White males are the highest at 19%.”
There was no significant variation either by age or income, although there were major differences by city.
Of the respondents who admitted to driving drunk, most were on the West Rand at 36%, followed by the Vaal Triangle and South Rand at 29% and Johannesburg at 26%.
”Of course, these figures are also influenced by the prevalence of people with driving licences in each city,” TNS said.
”Nonetheless, there are some clear pointers in that Gauteng generally [and especially the Johannesburg area and the West Rand, but less so in Soweto] has some alarming numbers.
”The coastal cities are generally lower, with Bloemfontein having the lowest results.” — Sapa