Driving

If you drive under the influence of alcohol or any other drug, you are committing an offence which carries a heavy penalty. This applies in all States and Territories in Australia.

In Queensland, the police can stop your vehicle at any time to conduct a random breath test. You will be charged by the police if:

• Your blood alcohol level is 0.05% or over (for open licences); or
• Your blood alcohol level is above zero (for people under 25 years with a provisional or learners licence, or if unlicensed); or
• Your blood alcohol level is above zero (for people driving a truck, tow truck, taxi, bus, driving school vehicle and various other vehicles); or
• You fail to supply a specimen of breath.

So you should check on the legal limits which apply if you are going to travel interstate. In any case, it is an offence throughout Australia to drive if your driving skills are impaired by alcohol or any other drug.

If you are taking any kind of medicinal drug, it may also affect your driving ability, especially if you also drink alcohol. Even if you are taking a drug strictly in accordance with the prescription, and your driving skills are impaired by the drug’s action, you are still committing a driving offence. Ignorance of the effects of the drug is not a defence. You should always check with your doctor about driving when you are taking prescribed medicines.

Remember:

• Many traffic accidents and fatalities are related to alcohol.
• After an accident, the police can require a driver to have a breath test for alcohol or a blood test for any other drug whether legal, illegal or medicinal.
• If you kill or seriously injure another person while driving under the influence of alcohol or any other drug, you could be charged with "dangerous driving". Penalties can be very heavy for this offence, including prison sentences. Ignorance about the effects of a drug is not a defence or an excuse.