In Western Australia 20% of fatal crashes have drink driving as a factor. But the statistics don't do justice to the pain and loss suffered by drunk driving victims and their families. Nothing can take away the grief of the parents who have lost children, husbands and wives who have lost their spouses, kids who have lost their parents.
In Australia, it is an offence to drive while your BAC is 0.05 or above, or zero if you are a novice driver (having held a driver's license for less than two years). Determining how much alcohol affects your BAC can vary significantly from person to person as well as from day to day depending on how much you've eaten, how tired you are, whether you're ill and many other reasons.
In general your BAC should remain below 0.05 if you:
However, drinking any amount of alcohol will affect your ability to drive, with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05% doubling your risk of being involved in a traffic accident compared to someone who has not been drinking at all. With a BAC of 0.15, the risk is 20x greater.
It is always best to keep drinking and driving completely separate, use these 4 tips to help stop you from getting behind the wheel.
1) Be responsible and plan ahead
The two most important ways to avoid getting behind the wheel when you have been drinking is to be responsible and plan ahead. You should always make a plan for how you will get home before you start drinking and ensure you have a back up plan. Always keep your phone charged so you can call for alternative transport if necessary or in case of an emergency. If you have any doubts give your car keys to a responsible friend to look after. Once you've started drinking you will likely be less rational so it is important to listen to others and accept their help if they offer it – you might be drunker than you realise.
2) Assign a designated driver
Assigning a designated driver is a common method used to prevent drink driving. This person should ideally remain sober throughout the entire night, so it can be particularly helpful to choose a friend who doesn't drink. Make sure you have this persons contact details with you so you can reach them if you can't find them and make sure you stick to the plan and leave with them at the end of the night.
3) Use alternative transportation
Another option is to use public transport or a taxi to get home. Ideally you should always use a 'buddy system' to avoid travelling alone and make sure that you contact someone once you are home safe. If you are getting a taxi get a friend to wait with you whilst you flag one down. If you're close enough to walk make sure it is a safe, well-lit area and with public transit check the routes and timetables in advance to make sure they still run late at night.
4) If you can't go safely, just stay
If you can't get safe transport to take you home then stay where you are and stop drinking. If you are at a house party ask the host if there is somewhere you can go to sleep. If you are out either ask a friend who lives nearby if you can crash at theirs, or go to a hotel.
In Australia, it is an offence to drive while your BAC is 0.05 or above, or zero if you are a novice driver (having held a driver's license for less than two years). Determining how much alcohol affects your BAC can vary significantly from person to person as well as from day to day depending on how much you've eaten, how tired you are, whether you're ill and many other reasons.
In general your BAC should remain below 0.05 if you:
- drink no more than two standard drinks in the first hour and one per hour thereafter (for men of average size); or
- drink no more than one standard drink per hour (for women of average size).
However, drinking any amount of alcohol will affect your ability to drive, with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05% doubling your risk of being involved in a traffic accident compared to someone who has not been drinking at all. With a BAC of 0.15, the risk is 20x greater.
It is always best to keep drinking and driving completely separate, use these 4 tips to help stop you from getting behind the wheel.
1) Be responsible and plan ahead
The two most important ways to avoid getting behind the wheel when you have been drinking is to be responsible and plan ahead. You should always make a plan for how you will get home before you start drinking and ensure you have a back up plan. Always keep your phone charged so you can call for alternative transport if necessary or in case of an emergency. If you have any doubts give your car keys to a responsible friend to look after. Once you've started drinking you will likely be less rational so it is important to listen to others and accept their help if they offer it – you might be drunker than you realise.
2) Assign a designated driver
Assigning a designated driver is a common method used to prevent drink driving. This person should ideally remain sober throughout the entire night, so it can be particularly helpful to choose a friend who doesn't drink. Make sure you have this persons contact details with you so you can reach them if you can't find them and make sure you stick to the plan and leave with them at the end of the night.
3) Use alternative transportation
Another option is to use public transport or a taxi to get home. Ideally you should always use a 'buddy system' to avoid travelling alone and make sure that you contact someone once you are home safe. If you are getting a taxi get a friend to wait with you whilst you flag one down. If you're close enough to walk make sure it is a safe, well-lit area and with public transit check the routes and timetables in advance to make sure they still run late at night.
4) If you can't go safely, just stay
If you can't get safe transport to take you home then stay where you are and stop drinking. If you are at a house party ask the host if there is somewhere you can go to sleep. If you are out either ask a friend who lives nearby if you can crash at theirs, or go to a hotel.
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