ts to stop trading at midnight during the festive season, instead of 2am, Limpopo deputy police commissioner Jan Scheepers says alcohol contributes to rapes, assaults, murders, domestic violence, child abuse, road fatalities and attempted murders.

The province showed last year that the measure was successful in reducing crime and saving lives, before it was overturned by the High Court.

But the success of any change in liquor sales regulations would lie in their enforcement, an area this country falls short in in several areas.

Reducing the hours in which alcohol may be sold will have no effect whatsoever unless sales establishments are monitored for compliance.

Predictably the alcohol industry is against any regulation which would limit sales, especially in a period when there's money to be made.

And the industry is a huge player in the local economy, contributing over R200 billion to GDP and employing hundreds of thousands.

But these notable contributions should not exempt the industry from its social responsibility and accountability for the effects of its products.

An approach that balances the interests of the industry with the well-being of citizens is required.

18:T6de,The numbers don't lie: far too many South Africans have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.The Department of Social Development says alcohol consumption contributes the third-most deaths and disabilities, after sexually transmitted infections and violence, in South Africa.Caro Smit is correct that irresponsible driving behaviour is consistent throughout the year, but with alcohol playing a large part in festivities at this time of year, the impact is magnified and reflected in high holiday accident statistics, and increases in violent crimes.In calling for liquor outlets to stop trading at midnight during the festive season, instead of 2am, Limpopo deputy police commissioner Jan Scheepers says alcohol contributes to rapes, assaults, murders, domestic violence, child abuse, road fatalities