UNITED NATIONS
58 Conventions, 1699 Contracting Parties
UNITED NATIONS
Contracting Parties
1,699 contracting parties
Number of Contracting Parties to UN Legal Instruments on Transport
1,681
1,686
1,693
1,699
1,656
1,643
2008
2009
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2011
2012
2013
2014
Consolidated Resolutions
The 1968 Conventions on Road Traffic, and on Road Signs and Signals, are complemented by two sets
of best practices, known as the Consolidated Resolution on Road Traffic (RE.1) and the Consolidated
Resolution on Road Signs and Signals (RE.2).
The relationship of alcohol to road traffic crashes has been well established. Drivers who have been
drinking have a much higher risk of crash involvement than drivers who have not been drinking, and
this risk increases rapidly as blood alcohol concentration (BAC) increases. A legal limit on BAC for motor
vehicle drivers is set in many countries and defines when a driver is too impaired
to drive. Lower BAC limits are often established for young drivers and for drivers
of commercial vehicles.
In this regard, RE.1 recommends the introduction of legislation to cover drink
driving offences, the enforcement actions and the penalties. It is vital that
alcohol-impaired driving laws are publicized and enforced.
An effective enforcement approach includes frequent, widespread and highly
visible roadside checks. Enforcement is based on the principles of certain
detection and conviction, swiftness of the proceeding, and on consequences
which are severe enough that most drivers would want to avoid them. The
penalty strategy found to be most effective is loss of driving privileges. While
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Contracting Parties in Africa
Angola: 0
Botswana: 1
Cameroon: 0
Ethiopia: 0
Gambia: 0
Ghana: 8
Kenya: 1
Lesotho: 1
Mozambique: 0
Malawi: 2
Nigeria: 5
Namibia: 1
Swaziland: 0
South Sudan: 0
South Africa: 5
Tanzania: 3
Uganda: 5
Zimbabwe: 2
Zambia: 0
education and public information are necessary, they need to be part of a comprehensive strategy,
and seem to work best when linked with highly visible enforcement efforts.
Finally, alcohol-impaired driving may be a symptom of a larger problem of alcohol misuse. Many
impaired driving offenders have alcohol dependence problems, and without appropriate assessment
and treatment, these offenders are likely to repeat their crime.
Taking into account their cultural, social, legal and economic environments, Governments should
develop and implement a comprehensive programme to reduce death and injuries due to
alcohol-impaired driving. An effective programme to reduce
alcohol-impaired driving should be based on strong leadership, sound
policy, good programme manag [Y[