Driving under the influence

Driving under the influence, drink driving, drunk driving, or drinking and driving is the act of operating a motor vehicle after having consumed alcohol (ethanol) or other drugs, to the degree that mental and motor skills are impaired. It is illegal in most jurisdictions. Several anti-drink driving advertising campaigns have aimed to raise awareness of the legal situation and the dangers of driving while intoxicated. Drunk driving is responsible for a very large number of deaths, injuries, damage and accidents every year.

Australia

Road laws are state based

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• Australian Capital Territory
• 0.02% for 'professional' drivers (taxi, bus, dangerous goods vehicles, heavy vehicles over 4.5 tonnes, Commonwealth vehicles) and learner and P plate drivers
• 0.05% for experience drivers (that is drivers over 18 years of age who have been driving for more than 3 years and are not classed as 'professional' drivers)
• New South Wales:
• Zero for Learner and Provisonal licences and 0.02 % for Drivers of vehicles of "gross vehicle mass" greater than 13.9 tonnes, vehicles carrying dangerous goods or public vehicles such as a taxi or bus.
• 0.05% for all other drivers
• Queensland
• A Zero limit applies to the drivers of trucks, buses, articulated vehicles, vehicles carrying dangerous goods, pilot vehicles, and taxis. It also applies to all learner drivers and provisional drivers under 25 years of age.
• 0.05% for other drivers.
• South Australia
• Zero limit for learner, provisional, probationary, heavy (greater than 15 tonne) vehicle, taxis, licensed chauffeured vehicles, dangerous goods, and bus licences.
• 0.05% for all other drivers.
• Tasmania
• Zero limit for learner, provisional, truck, bus, and taxi licences.
• 0.05% for all other drivers.
• Victoria
• Zero limit applies for Learner and Probationary licences, as well as any 'professional' drivers - including tram drivers.
• 0.05% for all other drivers.
• Western Australia
• 0.02% for provisional (probatory) licence holders.
• 0.05% for all other drivers.

In Australia, there are laws that allow for a police officer to stop any driver and perform a random breath test, without needing any reason. Also, in Victoria, for example, if a doctor sees any patient who is 15 years old or older, who comes to him as a result of a road accident, the doctor must test the patient's alcohol content in a way that preserves the chain of evidence, regardless of whether the patient claims to be the driver or any other circumstances.

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