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Drink driving

Driving under the influence (DUI) is illegal but drink driving continues to be one of the major contributing factors in accidents on Queensland roads.

According to Queensland Transport, alcohol contributes to about 30 per cent of road deaths in Queensland each year.

Police conduct roadside breath testing (RBT) to deter and detect drink drivers and you can be randomly tested anywhere at anytime.

If you hold an open licence or hold a learner or provisional licence and you are aged 25 years and over, it is against the law to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at 0.05 per cent or above.

If you hold a learners or provisional licence and are aged under 25 years, your blood alcohol concentration must be zero per cent.

Remember, it takes 30 to 60 minutes after you have stopped drinking for your BAC to reach its highest concentration.

Research shows that many motorists are uncertain about the amount of alcohol they can safely consume before going over the limit. A number of factors affect each individual's BAC level but generally you can stay below 0.05 if:

for women - you have no more than one standard drink each hour; and
for men - you have no more than two standard drinks in the first hour and one standard drink each hour after that

However, this is only a guide. Some people can drink less and still be over the limit.

Visit the road safety section of the Queensland Transport for more information on drink driving and blood alcohol concentration limits at. This website also features a Student Driver Education section with activities for students which allow them to investigate the influence of alcohol on driving ability.

In addition, Queensland Transport provides a 'never the same again' kit to all new drivers licence holders.

Last reviewed 17 April 2007.