Before you crack open that cold one...A sober note for the festive season from Hugo Meyer

At this time of year parties are abundant, and in some cases, so is time to fly. In some clubs having a "couple" and then flying is tolerated because so and so is perfectly capable of flying after six beers. Rumour has it that someone is even fighting for his right to drink and fly in court.

For those people who think it is fine to drink and fly, please consider the following:

Accidents happen and the cause of this might be pilot error, interference, equipment failure or one of many other reasons. Should someone be injured or killed in such an accident, regardless of the cause the following is likely to happen.

In the case of death, there will be cops asking lots of questions including pesky ones about alcohol. You might explain your way out of trouble with the cops but the family will soon arrive. Imagine having to explain to them what happened with the smell of beer on your breath. Also consider that they probably lost their breadwinner, father and husband and will need to sue you as a result. Your trouble does not stop here because no insurance company will pay a cent if you transgressed the rules. Loss adjusters are experts at finding reasons not to pay. I don’t know of many people with a few million rands in reserve for eventualities like this so you will probably lose everything you own.

No matter what the cause of the accident, you will be asking yourself the following question for the rest of your life. Could I have reacted quicker and prevented the accident if I did not have that beer?

Before you open that beer please think and reconsider.