So much is said and to be honest, more and more done, about drinking and driving that we sometimes miss out on another really risky behaviour, that of drinking and walking.
Driving under the influence gets the attention and the law is enforced in more direct ways, such as Random Breath Testing (RBT), nowadays. For those who don’t know, that’s the cops’ mobile unit that tests alcohol levels and the results can be upheld in court. No more waiting on blood tests.
Drinking and walking, however, is just as dangerous, causing hundreds of deaths every year. Here are the stats, if you are between the ages of 19 and 29 and are a male coloured or black person, you fall into the group most likely to die as a pedestrian.
In all, 61 percent of pedestrian fatalities are blood alcohol level positive. And 41% are measured at 0.2, which is four times over the legal driving limit. And more than three times as many pedestrians die on Saturdays than do on Wednesdays.
These are all very real risks, and our tendency to downplay them doesn’t help. So, take precautions, such as wearing bright clothing, and be extra aware during sunrise and sunset, when visibility is low. If you can’t walk straight, wait till you can. The change begins with you.