Drink driving is a serious offence in which a person operates a vehicle after consuming alcohol or drugs. The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers in Australia is 0.05%. This means that it is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.05% or higher.
The penalties for drink driving are severe and can include a loss of licence, a fine, or even imprisonment. If you are caught drink driving, you will likely receive a criminal conviction.
It is important to be aware of the risks of drink driving and to make sure that you do not get behind the wheel if you have been drinking. If you are going to be drinking, make sure that you have arranged for a sober driver to take you home.
In the worst scenarios, remember to consult with drink driving lawyers Sunshine Coast when charged with DUI cases.
How much can I drink before driving?
The legal BAC limit on the Sunshine Coast is 0.05%. This means that you can have no more than 50 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. However, this does not mean that it is safe to drink up to this amount before driving.
Depending on factors such as your weight, how much you have eaten, and how quickly you are drinking, your BAC could be well above the legal limit before you even feel intoxicated. There is no hard and fast rule for how much alcohol you can drink before driving, but as a general rule of thumb, it is safest to avoid drinking any alcohol if you are going to be operating a vehicle.
What is the penalty for drink driving on the Sunshine Coast?
The penalty for drink driving on the Sunshine Coast is a $200 fine and 4 demerit points. If you are caught driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05% or more, you will be issued an on-the-spot license suspension for 24 hours.
If you are caught drink driving with a BAC of 0.08% or more, you will be issued an on-the-spot license suspension for 3 months. You may also be required to attend a drink driving education program.
If you are convicted of drink driving in court, you may be fined up to $5,000 and banned from driving for 9 months. For repeat offenders, the penalties are much harsher, including jail time.
If you are caught driving under the influence of drugs, you will be issued an on-the-spot license suspension for 24 hours. If you are convicted of drug driving in court, you may be fined up to $5,000 and banned from driving for 9 months.
It is important to note that the Sunshine Coast has a zero-tolerance policy for drink driving by drivers under the age of 20. If you are caught driving with a BAC of 0.00%, you will be issued an on-the-spot license suspension for 3 months.
If you are caught driving while using a mobile phone, you will be issued an on-the-spot fine of $400 and 4 demerit points. If you are convicted of mobile phone use in court, you may be fined up to $1,100.
It is illegal to drive a vehicle without a valid license or insurance. If you are caught driving without a license, you will be issued an on-the-spot fine of $400. If you are caught driving without insurance, you will be issued an on-the-spot fine of $1,000.
What will happen to your licence when you’re charged with a drink driving case?
If you are caught drink driving, you will automatically lose your licence. The length of time your licence is suspended will depend on the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) recorded. For a first offence, you can expect a minimum three-month suspension.
For a second offence, the mandatory minimum period is six months, and for a third or subsequent offence, the minimum is twelve months.
You may also be required to complete a traffic offenders program and/or install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle.
Penalties for drink driving are harsher if you are caught with a BAC that is over 0.15%. If this is your first offence, you will lose your licence for a minimum of six months. For a second or subsequent offence, the minimum is twelve months.
When is the right time to seek the help of a Traffic Lawyer when caught for DUI?
If you are stopped by the police and accused of DUI/DWI, it is important to contact a traffic lawyer as soon as possible. A traffic lawyer will be able to review the facts of your case and determine the best course of action. In some cases, it may be possible to have the charges against you reduced or even dismissed altogether.
Don’t take chances with your future!
If you’ve been charged with DUI/DWI, contact Smith Criminal Law today!
