The dangers of drink driving

Driving is a pretty complicated activity. There are so many things that you need to think about and familiarise yourself with to be able to control a vehicle harmoniously on the road with others. It’s not just about being able to move a steering wheel, you also need to be fully aware of your surroundings. Getting used to driving in all conditions is a big part of the learner driving process.

The Victorian licence system has been developed taking all these considerations on board. When you have a probationary licence you are required to have no alcohol in your system whatsoever. This is your practice time for getting comfortable and safe behind the wheel. It’s time for you to take the responsibility of driving with others in your car and on the roads seriously.

Once you are fully licensed in Victoria, you must not have more than a 0.05 blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

How drinking affects your driving.

Drinking can affect your ability to drive in multiple ways.

• Reduces your ability to judge distance and speed.
• Decreases your concentration and coordination.
• Impairs your vision and perception.
• Slows down your response time.

Any hindrance to these aspects of driving increases your chance of being in an accident.

“In the last 5 years, close to 1 in 5 drivers and riders who lost their lives had a BAC greater than 0.05.” (“Drink driving statistics – TAC”)

Consequences of drinking and driving.

The risks involved with drink driving are great. These not only impact you but others around you: from crashing your car into someone’s property to a fatal crash that claims lives, and everything in between.

If you’re caught driving under the influence there are consequences. These consequences are there to act as a warning and a wake-up call for you to understand just how serious your chosen actions are.

If you have a BAC over the legal limit you will receive a heavy fine, loss of licence and be required to install an interlock into your vehicle. Depending on the severity of your offence, you may also face imprisonment.

Since April 30, 2018 anyone who’s committed a drink driving offence is also required to complete a VicRoads Behaviour Change Program.

This program has been developed to help people realise the consequences of their actions, and to identify their motivating factors or reasons for making the choice to commit a drink driving offence.

“Just a little bit over”

Any alcohol in the bloodstream makes a driver more vulnerable to being involved in a crash. Outwardly drunk behaviour does not need to be present before alcohol affects a person’s ability when driving. The most common reasons people give for driving with a BAC between 0.05 and 0.1 include thinking they were under the limit, or that they just wanted to get home.

There is no such thing as ‘just a little bit over’.

If you or someone you know has a problem with alcohol, talk to someone and ask for help.

Arrow Health offers many treatment options including:

• 28-day detox program
• Inpatient rehabilitation
• Outpatient program
• Forensic service
• Counselling

If you have lost your licence due to drink driving Arrow Health offers a VicRoads approved Behaviour Change Program. Call us today and book your spot. 03 9533 7888