Did you know that New South Wales has three blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits? Zero, under 0.02 and under 0.05. These limits that apply to your licence category and the type of vehicle you are driving.
The amount of alcohol in your system is measured by your BAC which is measured in grams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. Having a BAC of 0.05 means that your body contains (50 milligrams) of alcohol in every 100 millilitres of blood.
Nobody wants to see people killed or hurt on our roads because of drink driving. Why take the risk in the first place? People are generally worried about getting caught by the police as their number one priority. But what about peoples lives? If you decide to drive after consuming alcohol, your driving may be impaired and impairment actually commences at a BAC of 0.02.
However, as a learner driver or provisional (P1, P2) driver, your BAC limit must be zero which means that you cannot consume alcohol then drive a vehicle. It’s as simple as that.
Zero BAC applies to all:
- Learner drivers or riders
- Provisional 1 drivers or riders
- Provisional 2 drivers or riders
- Visiting drivers or riders holding an overseas or interstate learner, provisional or equivalent licence
Learner, P1 and P2 drivers and riders are still in the process of developing their driving skills. Legally, their alcohol limit must be zero due to the fact that they are more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol than that of experienced drivers or riders.
It is important to remember that obtaining a driver’s licence is a privilege. It’s not a right! So making positive choices is paramount. If you’ve been on a night out, it is important to plan ahead to get home safely. Remember, don’t drive if you’ve been drinking.
Visit the RMS website should you require further information.