Alcohol
Drivers must have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of less than 0.05 in Australia (those who have not had a licence for at least two years must have a zero BAC).
Alcohol impairs your judgment and is a major cause of crashes. You will be safer not to drink at all before driving. Our police conduct random breath tests and there are heavy penalties if you are caught drink driving.
- At 0.05 BAC, your risk of being involved in a road crash doubles.
- At 0.08 BAC, your risk is more than seven times as high as at zero.
- At 0.15 BAC, your relative crash risk is 25 times higher.
Staying under 0.05
It is best if you don't drink anything before driving.
If you do have a drink, as a guide:
- Men should not drink more than 2 standard drinks in the first hour and 1 every hour after that.
- Women should not drink more than 1 standard drink each hour.
How much is a standard drink?
|
|
Mid strength beer glass
|
3-4% Alc/Vol
|
0.8 standard drink per 285 ml
|
|
|
Mid strength beer can
|
3-4% Alc/Vol
|
1 standard drink per 375 ml
|
|
|
Wine
|
10-14% Alc/Vol
|
1 standard drink per 100 ml
|
|
|
Spirits
|
37-43% Alc/Vol
|
1 standard drink per 30 ml
|
|
|
Pre-mixed drinks
|
5% Alc/Vol
|
1.5 standard drinks per 375ml
|
|
|
Full strength beer glass
|
4-6% Alc/Vol
|
1 standard drink per 285ml
|
|
|
Full strength beer can
|
4-6% Alc/Vol
|
1.5 standard drinks per 375ml
|
Feeling sober is not a safe indicator of being under the 0.05 BAC limit. As soon as you start drinking your BAC begins to rise and reaches its highest concentration almost an hour after you stop drinking. It can take up to two hours before your BAC peaks, especially if you have eaten a substantial meal at the same time.
If you are taking medication, be especially careful when drinking as some medication and drugs combined with alcohol can greatly impair your ability to drive.
Wine and champagne glasses can be deceptive. Many glasses commonly used in restaurants, hotels and pubs contain more than one standard drink.
Be aware that if you have had a lot of drinks in a night, you could still be over the 0.05 BAC limit the next morning. It could be several hours before the alcohol has left your system and you are safe to drive.