In Australia, driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offense. According to the National Road Safety Strategy (NRSS), drink driving-related road fatalities have decreased over time but still account for approximately 12% of all road fatalities in Australia.
The penalties for drink driving vary from state to state, but generally involve license suspension or revocation, fines, demerit points, and even imprisonment in extreme cases. Generally speaking, the more you are over the legal limit or have an excessively high reading (generally 0.15 or greater) the harsher your penalty will be.
In most states across Australia there is a zero-tolerance policy towards drivers who are under 21 years old; if they are caught with any traceable amount of alcohol in their system then they will face severe penalties. These penalties usually include being banned from driving for 3 months and/or having their license suspended for 6 months as well as substantial fines and fees.
Drivers who are over 21 typically face different levels of punishment based on how much alcohol is present in their system at the time of testing – this is known as ‘alcohol concentration’ or ‘blood alcohol content’ (BAC). The legal limit varies from state to state but it usually ranges between 0.05–0.08%. Depending on your BAC level, you may be fined and/or receive demerit points on your license; if your BAC exceeds 0.15 then you might also be subject to jail time and other punishments including longer license suspensions and possible disqualification from driving permanently in some states.
It’s also important to note that police can also request a breath sample at random using a roadside breath test machine – so it’s important to always stay below the legal limit when driving regardless of whether you’ve been pulled over or not! Drinking and driving is a serious offence – one that can result in devastating consequences both for yourself and other road users; so always drive sober and ensure you don’t put other people’s lives at risk.
The legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) when driving is 0.05%. Drivers who have a BAC over this limit may face an immediate licence suspension as well as fines and other penalties. If your BAC is higher than 0.15%, you may also face an additional charge of High Range PCA (prescribed concentration of alcohol). This carries stricter penalties such as imprisonment or license disqualification for up to three years.
Drivers who are found guilty of drink driving may also face further penalties such as an additional fine, community service or participation in an alcohol education program with that it’s best to contact criminal lawyer Grafton. A criminal conviction for drink driving may also have long-term consequences on your employment, travel and insurance premiums.
It is important to remember that the legal drinking limit when driving is zero – no amount of alcohol consumption is acceptable prior to getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. If you are going to consume alcohol, make sure you plan ahead and arrange a safe way home such as booking a ride share or public transport.
The law regarding drink driving varies state by state, so it’s important to familiarise yourself with the laws in your state or territory. If you have any questions or concerns about the laws, contact your local police station for clarification.
Remember that drink driving is a serious and dangerous offence which can have severe consequences for both yourself and other road users – so always plan ahead to ensure a safe journey home.
GH Solicitors 
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