Driving under the influence of alcohol
I have recently moved to Tanzania and want to know to what extent is intoxication a defence under Tanzanian laws? Is this taken up as seriously as in the Western world?
EF, Mtwara
Intoxication is usually no defence in criminal law unless the intoxication is not self-induced, or the person intoxicated was insane at the time of committing such an offence. Section 14 of the Penal Code specifically deals with this.
We must point out that under our laws, Intoxication is taken up seriously, although the implementation of such provision might be a little weaker than in the western hemisphere. All in all, the provision exists and it is an offence in Tanzania to drive when drunk.