By: Natasha Archary
Motorists have been urged to obey the rules of the roads this festive season and not drive under the influence of alcohol.
Failure to do so may cost drivers their jobs, depending on the industry they’re in.
This comes as the festive season has already kicked off and a number of road fatalities have been noted over the long weekend that passed.
According to a labour law expert, drinking and driving can be grounds for dismissal, although the offence may take place outside the workplace and office hours.
In an interview which was recently aired on eNCA, Hedda Schensema said driving drunk can come at the expense of your job if your driver’s license gets revoked and it affects your ability to meet your work commitments.
“If you lose your license as a result of being caught drinking and driving, you would then not be able to render your job or your employment obligations to your employer and you are then incapacitated on the basis that you cannot do your job.”
Schensema warns motorists that an employer does have the right to terminate an employee’s contract if there’s evidence that alcohol consumption is prevalent whilst driving.
Meanwhile seven people were killed in a collision on the N3 Highway in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday, 18 December.
While there is no confirmation that alcohol played a part in this fatal road accident, authorities say the number of festive season collisions are likely to rise in the lead up to Christmas and New Year.
