Think twice before getting behind the wheel
Going to the work Christmas party or enjoying New Year’s Eve celebrations on the town? Thinking public transport is too hard and you might drive home? Think again.
In the past five years, more than 70 crashes resulting in fatality or serious injury in South Australia involved drugs and alcohol. Staggeringly, between 2013 and 2022 one third of lives lost on SA roads were linked to either drugs or high levels of alcohol.
RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says partygoers need to consider the consequences of drink driving the festive period.
“People celebrating Christmas or New Year’s Eve should leave their car at home if they’re planning to have a drink,” he says.
“The price of a taxi or ride share is much cheaper than the consequences of causing a serious crash or being caught drink driving.
“Even small amounts of alcohol can affect your driving ability and increase your chances of being in a crash.”
Tips to help you get home safely
- Leave your car at home if you’re going out and know you’re going to drink alcohol.
- If you plan to drive, it’s safest not to drink any alcohol at all.
- Designate a non-drinking driver if you’re with other people.
- Catch a taxi or ride share service home.
- Use public transport.
- Stay the night.
- Arrange for someone to pick you up – make sure the person giving you a lift hasn’t been drinking or using drugs.
The consequences
While the ultimate consequence of driving while drunk is causing a serious crash that injures or even kills you, your friends or other road users, there are also financial implications. If a motorist returns a blood alcohol test between 0.05 and 0.079 for the first time, they face a $849 fine, a $102 Victims of Crime Levy and four demerit points. If you’re caught driving with a blood alcohol level of between 0.08 and 0.149, you’ll immediately lose your licence, receive five demerit points and must attend court where the penalty will be determined.
Drivers caught with a blood alcohol of 0.15 or over will immediately lose their licence for 12 months, receive six demerit points and then face a judge and receive a financial penalty determined by the court.